PoliticsLoretta LynchSupreme Courtantonin scalia

Attorney General Loretta Lynch Bows Out Of Running For Supreme Court Vacancy

She indicated that a nomination would be a distraction from her current role.
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By 

Senior Justice Reporter, HuffPost

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WASHINGTON -- Attorney General Loretta Lynch said she's not interested in being nominated to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court. She indicated that the uphill confirmation battle any nominee is likely to face would be a distraction from her job as the nation's top law enforcement official.

“As the conversation around the Supreme Court vacancy progressed, the Attorney General determined that the limitations inherent in the nomination process would curtail her effectiveness in her current role," Melanie Newman, a Justice Department spokeswoman, said in a statement on Tuesday. "Given the urgent issues before the Department of Justice, she asked not to be considered for the position."

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Attorney General Loretta Lynch asked not to be considered for the Supreme Court vacancy because "the limitations inherent in the nomination process would curtail her effectiveness in her current role," a spokeswoman said on Tuesday.
David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images

While Lynch was "deeply grateful for the support and good wishes of all those who suggested her as a potential nominee, she is honored to serve as Attorney General, and she is fully committed to carrying out the work of the Department of Justice for the remainder of her term," Newman said.

Some observers had considered Lynch to be one of the most likely nominees. But Senate Republicans have made it clear they won't consider anyone that President Barack Obama nominates to fill the vacancy in his last year in office. Lynch could have been the first black woman ever nominated to the position.

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Before You Go

Funeral Of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia
(01 of16)
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With family members following behind, pallbearers carry the casket of late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia up the steps of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Feb. 20, 2016, in Washington, DC. Scalia, who died Feb. 13 while on a hunting trip in Texas, had lay in repose in the Great Hall of the Supreme Court on Friday. (credit:Drew Angerer via Getty Images)
Scalia's Casket Is Carried(02 of16)
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Ushers guide the casket during the funeral Mass for Associate Justice Antonin Scalia at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. (credit:Pool via Getty Images)
Scalia Family(03 of16)
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Family members of the late Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia arrive for his funeral at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. (credit:Drew Angerer via Getty Images)
Chief Justice John Roberts(04 of16)
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John Roberts, Chief Justice of the United States (R), his wife, Jane, and daughter, Josie, arrive for the funeral of Associate Justice Antonin Scalia at the the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Feb. 20. (credit:Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas)(05 of16)
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Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), center, and former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, upper left, take their seats for funeral Mass for Associate Justice Antonin Scalia inside the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. (credit:Pool via Getty Images)
Former Vice President Dick Cheney(06 of16)
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Former Vice President Dick Cheney, left, and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas at the funeral Mass for Associate Justice Antonin Scalia. (credit:Pool via Getty Images)
Clarence Thomas(07 of16)
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U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas and his wife, Virginia, arrive for the funeral for fellow Associate Justice Antonin Scalia at the the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. (credit:Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
Former Associate Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens(08 of16)
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Former U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice John Paul Stevens arrives for the funeral for fellow Associate Justice Antonin Scalia. (credit:Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
Sonia Sotomayor(09 of16)
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U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor (R) arrives for the funeral for fellow Associate Justice Antonin Scalia. (credit:Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
Associate Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy(10 of16)
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U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy arrives for the funeral of fellow Associate Justice Antonin Scalia. (credit:Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
Ruth Bader Ginsburg(11 of16)
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U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (C) arrives for the funeral of fellow Associate Justice Antonin Scalia at the the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. (credit:Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
Elena Kagan(12 of16)
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Supreme Court Associate Justice Elena Kagan arrives for the funeral of fellow Associate Justice Antonin Scalia at the the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. (credit:Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
Samuel Alito(13 of16)
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U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Alito (C) arrives for the funeral of fellow Associate Justice Antonin Scalia at the the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. (credit:Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
Former Attorney General Michael Muasey(14 of16)
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Former U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey (C) arrives for the funeral for U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia at the the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. (credit:Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
Former Solicitor General Ted Olson(15 of16)
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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 20: Former United States Solicitor General Ted Olson (L) and his wife Lady Booth arrive for the funeral for U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia. (credit:Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.)(16 of16)
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Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., has his ID checked upon arriving to the funeral mass for the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. (credit:Tom Williams via Getty Images)
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