Lucas: Biden’s nod to Rollins a hit on Walsh

With friends like Joe Biden, Marty Walsh doesn’t need any enemies.

Talk about a putdown.

Walsh is the guy President Biden called “my good friend,” and “a standup guy”’ when he swore him in as secretary of labor.

But the nomination of Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollins as the new U.S .attorney for Massachusetts is, to say the least, a  political embarrassment to the former mayor of Boston — and close pal of the president.

Some would say it is a gut punch.

If anyone was opposed to the nomination of the outspoken Rollins to the powerful position it was Walsh.

It was only a month ago that Rollins, known for her rough rhetoric, charged that Walsh was either lying or was incompetent when the former mayor said he had no knowledge of domestic violence allegations against Dennis White when he appointed him police commissioner. White is no longer on the job.

“This is a bad situation,” Rollins said last month, “because he (Walsh) knew about it and is lying or he didn’t know about it and (he is) a terrible manager.”

Those strong, but intemperate remarks, cut deeply into Walsh, a politician who has racked up a relatively clean record in public life as a labor leader, state representative and mayor.

Clearly Rollins’ implication was that Biden had appointed a person to his cabinet who was either a liar or was incompetent, or both.

Walsh did not publicly respond to Rollins. Now it is too late, especially if Rollins is confirmed by the Senate to assume the position of U.S. attorney and its far-reaching powers.

For instance, as U.S. attorney, Rollins could launch a probe into Walsh’s handling of the White appointment and the decades-old allegations of domestic abuse that were kicked around the Boston Police Department for years.

On his way out the door to Washington, D.C., Walsh suspended White when the allegations were made public.

While the White House was made aware of Rollins’ remarks, nothing changed. One would have thought that Walsh, with his close ties to Biden, would have prevailed upon the White House to make another choice.

Maybe he tried and failed. Or maybe he did nothing, holding out hope that there was no way that Biden would appoint such a controversial figure to such a powerful position. Or maybe the choice came from the back room of the White House and Biden was just told to sign on.

But if Walsh is saddened by the appointment, there is at least one other public figure who is delighted.

That would be Newton District Court Judge Shelley Joseph, a woke progressive judge appointed by Gov. Charlie Baker. She is currently under suspension but receiving her $184,000 salary.

Joseph, along with former court officer Wesley MacGregor, was indicted in 2019 by former U.S Attorney Andrew Lelling for allegedly helping an illegal immigrant from the Dominican Republic — already deported twice — sneak out the back door of the courthouse.

The judge allegedly paved the way for the immigrant to evade agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement waiting to scoop him up on fugitive and drug charges.

Rollins, along with Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Attorney General Maura Healey, were quick to defend Joseph and condemn ICE.

Of the Joseph indictment, Healey said, “I think it’s a political move. I think it’s a radical move and it will have a chilling effect. This is the only U.S. attorney in the entire country who has taken such action. I find it really troubling.”

Which it may be. But none of the three “law enforcement officers” seemed to have any problems with a judge helping a wanted fugitive escape out the back door of a courthouse.

All three progressives joined in a lawsuit against ICE over its policy of arresting illegal immigrants on federal charges in courthouses.

Upon filing the suit, Rollins said of ICE agents at courthouses: “These actions do nothing to further public safety or the rule of law. In fact, as we’ve laid out in the suit filed today, ICE’s directives violate multiple well established legal principals.”

As U.S. attorney, Rollins would be obliged to defend ICE against her own lawsuit.

She also would be obliged to prosecute Joseph, who she also defends.

But don’t count on either happening. If Rollins gets the job the suit will most likely disappear and Joseph will walk.

Peter Lucas is a veteran Massachusetts political reporter and columnist.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3ympKMa