WASHINGTON — Attorney General nominee Loretta Lynch attempted on Wednesday to tread a fine line on immigration, telling senators she believes President Barack Obama acted within his powers on deportation relief, but that she would respect the courts if they find his actions unconstitutional.
Her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee comes at a time when Republicans are fighting Obama’s November executive actions on immigration. Lynch, currently the United States attorney in Brooklyn, was not part of that decision-making process, but had to answer repeatedly as to whether she believes Obama acted within his powers.
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Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who supported the move, asked Lynch how she would respond if legal challenges to Obama’s immigration actions succeeded. Twenty-six states have now joined a lawsuit contending the policies are unconstitutional, and the House is considering taking legal action.
Lynch said she would respect the court’s decision if it strikes down executive action, and if Congress passed a law prohibiting the policies, she said, she “will commit to following all the laws duly executed by this body.”
