During remarks on the Senate floor Wednesday, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) spoke about President Trump's nominee for Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Policy, Aaron Reitz.
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NewsTranscript
00:00Mr. President, it is a distinct honor for me to speak today on behalf of Aaron Reitz
00:06as he continues through the confirmation process to serve as the Assistant Attorney General
00:11for the Office of Legal Policy at the U.S. Department of Justice.
00:16Throughout his career, whether in law, government, or on the battlefield, Aaron has earned the
00:23respect and the admiration of all who have had the privilege of working with him.
00:28I have worked closely with Aaron day to day, and I can attest to his exceptional career,
00:35unrelenting commitment, and strong moral values.
00:40He is an ideal candidate for this position.
00:43The Office of Legal Policy is integral to the Department of Justice.
00:47It is the cornerstone of the Department's most significant policy initiatives and serves
00:52as a key driver of its legislative and programmatic agendas.
00:56OLP plays a critical role in facilitating the relationship between the executive and
01:03the legislative branches, particularly regarding legislation, regulations, policies, and judicial
01:10appointments.
01:12And Aaron possesses the vision, the experience, and the leadership needed to excel in this
01:18role, and I have no doubt that he will lead the office with the same dedication he has
01:24shown throughout his career.
01:27But before diving into his professional credentials, it's important to highlight that Aaron is
01:31more than just an outstanding legal expert.
01:34He is a dedicated family man.
01:37He is blessed and fortunate to have a wonderful wife, Meredith, and four beautiful children.
01:45All of them have much to be proud of.
01:48Allow me to share a few highlights from Aaron's distinguished career, which demonstrates why
01:53he is so well qualified for this position.
01:57Aaron graduated magna cum laude from Texas A&M University, where he earned the role of
02:02regimental commander at the Corps of Cadets.
02:07Following his education, Aaron served with distinction as an officer in the United States
02:12Marine Corps.
02:14During nearly five years of active duty, he deployed to Afghanistan's Helmand province,
02:20where he worked alongside the Afghan National Army, leading logistics in one of the world's
02:25most challenging environments.
02:28He didn't merely oversee operations from behind a desk.
02:31He led from the front, ensuring mission success and safeguarding the lives of our troops in
02:38a combat zone.
02:40Aaron then attended law school at the University of Texas, where he served as president of
02:45the Federalist Society student chapter, and he also served as the editor-in-chief of the
02:50Texas Review of Law and Politics, and then he clerked at the Texas Supreme Court.
02:57After completing his military service in law school, Aaron continued his leadership in
03:03the legal and public policy fields, working in private practice, and later as deputy attorney
03:08general for legal strategy in the Office of the Attorney General of Texas.
03:14While serving in Texas Attorney General's Office, Aaron was instrumental in shaping
03:19the state's most important legal and policy initiatives.
03:24Beyond his professional accomplishments, Aaron stands out for his ability to build consensus,
03:30unite people, and navigate complex situations with poise and effectiveness.
03:38I have witnessed this firsthand while he has served as my chief of staff here in the Senate.
03:44Aaron's contributions have been indispensable in advancing my legislative agenda, which
03:50includes securing the U.S.-Mexico border, protecting children from online harm, and
03:56expanding our economy through investments in semiconductor manufacturing and tech infrastructure.
04:02He also played a key role in the efforts to build critical bridges across the Rio Grande
04:08River, and he was instrumental in shepherding the Justice for Jocelyn Act.
04:14His deep involvement with my Judiciary Committee team will serve him well when he is confirmed
04:20for this position.
04:22Now, to the heart of why Aaron is the best candidate for assistant attorney general for
04:27the Office of Legal Policy, OLP is vital to the Department of Justice as it shapes
04:34and executes the Department's most important priorities.
04:38Leading this office requires someone with experience managing complex, cross-departmental
04:43initiatives and a proven ability to get things done at the highest level.
04:50That's Aaron.
04:52Aaron has a demonstrated ability to lead and coordinate efforts that have meaningful, measurable
04:58impacts, whether in the courtroom, on Capitol Hill, or within a broader policy landscape.
05:06His extensive experience across legal, governmental, and political sectors, combined with his exceptional
05:11team-building skills, make him very well qualified for this role.
05:17But beyond his professional qualifications, what truly sets Aaron apart is the strength
05:22of his character.
05:24He is a man of faith, family, and unwavering principles.
05:29He stands firm in his commitment to doing what is right, even when faced with challenging
05:35circumstances.
05:37His integrity is evident in all his actions.
05:42With his leadership, Aaron will be an invaluable partner to Attorney General Pam Bondi.
05:49I have every confidence that OLP will continue to advance the Department's most important
05:54policy priorities under his guidance, ensuring that they are grounded in justice, fairness,
06:02and the rule of law.
06:04I strongly support Aaron Rice's nomination.
06:06He is the right person for this critical role, and I am confident that he will bring the
06:11same dedication, leadership, and integrity to the Office of Legal Policy that he has
06:15demonstrated throughout his career.
06:19I urge my colleagues to support his nomination, and I look forward to the outstanding work
06:24Aaron will continue to do in continued service to our nation.