The former prosecutor, who unexpectedly stepped down from the investigation into Trump-Russia connections, has been officially appointed to the Connecticut Supreme Court.
HARTFORD, Conn. — A former federal prosecutor who helped investigate the origins of the Trump-Russia probe in 2020 before abruptly leaving the Justice Department was confirmed Tuesday as the newest member of Connecticut’s State Supreme Court.
Nora Dannehy, the first woman U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut from 2008 to 2010, received approval from the state Senate with a vote of 31-2. Her nomination also passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 31-2.
During her confirmation hearing, Dannehy, a 62-year-old resident of Connecticut, publicly addressed her reasons for leaving the federal investigation. The investigation focused on the examination of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and potential coordination between former President Donald Trump’s campaign and the Kremlin.
Dannehy told state lawmakers at the hearing that she was concerned with then-Attorney General William Barr’s public comments about the Trump-Russia case and because she strongly disagreed with a draft of an interim report he considered releasing before the 2020 presidential election.
“I have been trained and dedicated my entire professional life at the Department of Justice to carry out investigations in an unbiased and nonpartisan manner,” she stated. “During the spring and summer of 2020, I started having concerns that the Russia investigation was not being conducted with the same level of objectivity.”
“I cannot reword”
Both Democrats and Republicans praised Dannehy on Tuesday for her extensive background. She has held various positions, including Connecticut deputy attorney general, associate general counsel for global ethics and compliance at United Technologies Corporation, and chief legal counsel for Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont, who nominated her for the state’s highest court.
State Senator John Kissel, the leading Republican on the Judiciary Committee of the General Assembly, expressed his belief that she would be an excellent addition. He commended her possession of both a strong moral compass and intellectual depth, along with a wealth of knowledge, which he believed made her suitable for the position.
Kissel stated that Dannehy does not appear to have any preconceived notions and gives her credit for being able to make unbiased decisions without being influenced by partisan politics.
