During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) questioned President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the US Marshals Service Gadyaces Serralta.
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00:00Senator.
00:01Thanks, Mr. Chairman, and let me say at the outset, I welcome you both.
00:05You both have extraordinary backgrounds in law enforcement.
00:10I'm sorry that you're both on the same panel because you each, I believe, have very important
00:16jobs you're seeking, and I wish we had more time so that we could be fair in asking both
00:24of your questions.
00:25I'm going to focus my questions on Mr. Seralta.
00:30Mr. Cole, that doesn't diminish the importance of the DEA in my mind.
00:33I hope you understand that.
00:35We just have limited time.
00:36Mr. Seralta, I want to start by saying as the son of an immigrant, when you told me your
00:42story, when you told this gathering your story, it is a heartwarming story of a family that
00:48came to the United States and has made this nation better.
00:52Immigrants make America better.
00:54This notion that they're all rapists and terrorists and murderers and mentally unstable
00:59doesn't reflect the reality of America.
01:02Your family has given much to this country and I'm sure will continue to, so I want to
01:06salute you in that regard.
01:09I'm going to ask you a question because the Marshal Service is the lead agency charged with
01:15executing and enforcing judicial orders from federal courts.
01:19I'm going to ask you if you are willing to commit under oath to enforcing all judicial
01:23orders if you are confirmed to lead the Marshal Service.
01:26Thank you, Senator.
01:28The primary role and mission of the Marshal Service is to provide safety for and obey,
01:38enforce, and execute all lawful orders of the federal courts.
01:43That was clear.
01:46Now, let's get to the issue of judicial security.
01:49You identified that as your first priority.
01:51I'm sure it isn't in any way to reflect on your other priorities, but let's talk about
01:58it for a moment.
01:59You've been a somewhat extraordinary witness because you've served under both Democrats and
02:05Republican presidents.
02:06You're a holdover, and that speaks well of you and the fact that you are considered apolitical,
02:12at least in my mind.
02:14So let me ask you this question.
02:16Do you feel the challenge of judicial security continues to grow in intensity?
02:21Senator, thank you.
02:25Thank you for that question.
02:28Not only am I apolitical, but the United States Marshal Service is apolitical.
02:32Threatening a judge is a serious, serious crime, and it's something that we have always been
02:39a part of investigating and holding folks accountable.
02:44So threats have been coming at judges for years.
02:50The entire six years I've been here, as well as I'm sure in the future.
02:56So we will continue the intensity and the tenacity of investigating each and every threat and
03:03taking it to the further extent of the law, working with the various United States Attorney's
03:09Office in each district.
03:11So my staff, I've asked them, what is the size of the staff of the U.S. Marshal Service nationwide?
03:18And they estimate that there are 5,600 employees.
03:21We now know that DOGE, the Elon Musk Inefficiency Task Force or whatever they call themselves,
03:29has sent letters to 5,000 out of your 5,600 U.S. Marshal Service, inviting them to resign.
03:38I want to ask you at the outset, 5,600, is that number about right?
03:43Senator, I think it's lower than that.
03:45Do you feel that you have adequate resources to meet your responsibilities in protecting judges,
03:52their families, and those who are part of the court system?
03:55Well, Senator, that's going to be my top priority is to make sure that we keep our judges safe.
04:01I've done so for the last six years in the Southern District of Florida, and I will continue to do so.
04:06As far as the resources, the human resources, that is something I'd have to study.
04:11I'd have to look at where we have our folks and ensure, and if I do need more human resources,
04:19then I would absolutely take it up with the Department of Justice and ensure that we make the ask.
04:25So you have 5,000 of the 5,600 employees, by my estimation here, who have been invited to resign.
04:33If that happens in any substantial number, are you concerned that it would diminish the knowledge,
04:39experience, and seniority of the current marshals to serve in the future?
04:44Well, Senator, I believe you're talking about what they call the DRP or the fork.
04:48I believe that is particular to the folks that can afford to retire, the folks that have the time in.
04:56I certainly am one that if someone has earned their stripes, if somebody has put in an entire career,
05:03and they'd like to retire, then that's their right.
05:08However, I can tell you there are a number of marshals that seek extensions in order to work longer and don't want to retire.
05:16They can retire and they don't retire.
05:18I'm going to ask one simple question. My time has expired here.
05:21Are you willing to commit under oath that you will fight for the resources to protect judges and their families
05:29against the threats that they're now receiving, like this pizza episode?
05:34Yes, Your Honor.
05:35Yes, sir.
05:36Before I call Senator Graham, Senator Moody's going to cover for me while I'm 10 or 15 minutes down to finance.
05:45Senator Graham, go ahead.