Sen. Hawley Grills Circuit Judge Nominee about His ‘Lenient’ Sentence Recommendations for Criminal Defendants

Sen. Josh Hawley asks questions at a Senate hearing on Sept. 6, 2023. Senate Judiciary Committee/Screenshot via NTD

At a Senate hearing on Sept. 6, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) grilled Richard E.N. Federico, a nominee to be United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit, about his sentencing recommendations, which have been well below the lowest government guidelines in a number of criminal cases—including cases involving sex offenders who preyed on children.