WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), and every Republican member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, sent a letter to Chairman Dick Durbin (D-IL) seeking a follow-up hearing and more information about the nomination of David Chipman to be Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) following now-corroborated reports of racist comments directed at other ATF employees.  

It was indirectly reported in June that, according to an anonymous former ATF agent, Chipman said, “Wow, there were an unusually large number of African American agents that passed the exam this time. They must have been cheating.” Those allegations have now been corroborated by an additional public report of similar allegations, citing both current and former ATF officials. 

It was further reported that Chipman was pushed out of his position in the ATF’s Detroit Field Office, raising serious concerns about his ineffectiveness as a leader and performance as a law enforcement officer. In addition, the Biden Administration continues to coverup and hide from the public at least two EEO complaints filed against Chipman. 

The committee previously considered but did not report Chipman’s nomination following a tie vote. The nomination remains pending before the committee.

Earlier this month, Senator Tillis wrote an op-ed for Fox News raising alarm about Chipman’s record.

Full text of the Republicans’ letter to Durbin can be found HERE.  

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