President nominates U.S. marshal
President Donald Trump’s pick for U.S. marshal is already well familiar with the demands of the job, having held the same position in West Tennessee when President George W. Bush sat in the Oval Office.
Trump nominated David G. Jolley for the position this week, with four other U.S. marshal picks for districts in Kentucky, West Virginia, Alabama and Mississippi — the first five such nominations of his presidency.
“The United States Marshal performs the essential functions of protecting the Federal judiciary, apprehending fugitives, transporting prisoners, and protecting witnesses,” reads a written statement distributed by the White House.
“These five candidates share the President’s vision for ‘Making America Safe Again.’”
Jolley began his career in law enforcement as a special agent with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation in 1983 and worked there until he was appointed to the top position for the Western Tennessee District of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Since retiring from that position in 2009, as is customary when new presidents take office, Jolley has worked as vice president and director of Tennessee Valley Authority
police, physical security and emergency management and a security consultant in the private sector.
“David Jolley is extremely qualified to serve as U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Tennessee,” U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said in a statement released after Jolley’s nomination.
“I know that East Tennesseans will be well served by his leadership in this position. I thank President Trump for choosing such an outstanding individual and am proud to recommend David to my colleagues for confirmation.”
U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., was also complimentary of Jolley’s track record and capabilities.
“Mr. Jolley has had a distinguished career in law enforcement — including formerly serving as the U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Tennessee — and he will serve East Tennesseans with integrity. I hope the Senate will quickly consider his nomination,” his statement read.
The U.S. Marshals Service occupies a central role in the federal justice system, ensuring the safety of proceedings at 719 facilities in 94 federal court districts as well as court officials, prisoners and the public, according to the department’s website.
“The duties of the U.S. Marshals Service include protecting the federal judiciary, apprehending federal fugitives, managing and selling
seized assets acquired by criminals through illegal activities, housing and transporting federal prisoners and operating the Witness Security Program,” the site reads.
Among the agency’s myriad responsibilities is oversight of the “15 Most Wanted” list that targets the country’s most dangerous and high-profile fugitives — individuals who are typically career criminals with histories of violence that pose a considerable threat to public safety.
For his part, Jolley is ready to be a U.S. marshal again, this time on a different side of the state.
“I really enjoyed my time there so I’m excited to be back and doing it one more time,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed the last couple of years in East Tennessee and getting to know folks, so I look forward to serving in this role.
The U.S. Senate still needs to confirm Jolley and Trump’s other nominations, a step that must be scheduled by the Senate Judiciary Committee, but Jolley said he’s thankful for the support he’s seen from legislators thus far.
“I am very appreciative of Senators Corker and Alexander for recommending me to the White House for this position, and I really appreciate the support of all the congressional delegation that represent the eastern portion of Tennessee because they’ve all been very supportive as we’ve worked toward this nomination.”
Now that he’s received an official nod from the White House, Jolley said the hardest part is over, but the process is uniquely demanding.
“It’s a tremendous amount of paperwork,” he said with a chuckle.
Chattanooga police Chief David Roddy, who was himself recently sworn into the top position of that law enforcement agency, said he looks forward to working with Jolley if he is confirmed.
“The Chattanooga Police Department has built a strong partnership with the local assets of the U.S. Marshals Service. The cooperative efforts and resulting successes will undoubtedly continue under the leadership of Marshal David Jolley.”