Biden Sixth Circuit Pick Pressured by Republicans on Ethics (2)

President Joe Biden’s nominee for a seat on the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit was prodded by Senate Republicans about allegations of ethical misconduct while prosecuting a drug case.

Kevin Ritz, who’s the US Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, was sharply questioned on Wednesday at his confirmation hearing about his handling of a criminal matter roughly 16 years ago while an assistant US attorney for the office he now leads. Defense counsel claimed he misrepresented charges in a plea agreement, Republican senators said.

“How can criminal defendants that come before you as a judge think ...