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Attorney General Jeff Sessions is making aggressive law enforcement a top priority, directing his federal prosecutors across the country to crack down on illegal immigrants and "use every tool" they have to go after violent criminals and drug traffickers.

But the attorney general does not have a single U.S. attorney in place to lead his tough-on-crime efforts across the country. Last month, Sessions abruptly told the dozens of remaining Obama administration U.S. attorneys to submit their resignations immediately - and none of them, or the 47 who had already left, have been replaced.

"We really need to work hard at that," Sessions said when asked Tuesday about the vacancies as he opened a meeting with federal law enforcement officials. The 93 unfilled U.S. attorney positions are among the hundreds of critical Trump administration jobs that remain open.

Sessions is also without the heads of his top units, including the civil rights, criminal and national security divisions, as he tries to reshape the Justice Department.

U.S. attorneys, who prosecute federal crimes from state offices around the nation, are critical to implementing an attorney general's law enforcement agenda. Both the George W. Bush and Barack Obama administrations gradually eased out the previous administration's U.S. attorneys while officials sought new ones.

Sessions said that until he has his replacements, career acting U.S. attorneys "respond pretty well to presidential leadership."

But former Justice Department officials say that acting U.S. attorneys do not operate with the same authority when interacting with police chiefs and other law enforcement executives.

"It's like trying to win a baseball game without your first-string players on the field," said former assistant attorney general Ronald Weich, who ran the Justice Department's legislative affairs division during Obama's first term.

"There are human beings occupying each of those seats," Weich, now dean of the University of Baltimore School of Law, said of the interim officials. "But that's not the same as having appointed and confirmed officials who represent the priorities of the administration. And the administration is clearly way behind in achieving that goal."

Filling the vacancies has also been complicated by Sessions not having his second-highest-ranking official in place. Rod Rosenstein, nominated for deputy attorney general - the person who runs the Justice Department day-to-day - is still not on board, although he is expected to be confirmed by the Senate this month. Traditionally, the deputy attorney general helps to select the U.S. attorneys.

Rosenstein, who served as U.S. attorney for Maryland, has also been designated, upon his confirmation, to take on the responsibility of overseeing the FBI's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and any links between Russian officials and Trump associates after Sessions was forced to recuse himself.

Rachel Brand has been nominated for the department's third-highest position as associate attorney general. She has also not been confirmed.

By March of Obama's first year in office, the Senate had confirmed the deputy and associate attorneys general, along with the solicitor general. The Senate had also confirmed an assistant attorney general for the national security division.

When Obama's first attorney general, Eric Holder, launched an ambitious plan to reform the criminal-justice system, it was the U.S. attorneys on the ground who were in charge of carrying out his plan to stop charging low-level nonviolent drug offenders with offenses that imposed severe mandatory sentences.

Now, Sessions is taking steps toward reversing that policy - without his top prosecutors nominated or confirmed.

Last month, Sessions sent a memo to his acting U.S. attorneys and assistant U.S. attorneys directing them to investigate and prosecute the most violent offenders in each district. He also traveled to Nogales, Arizona, on April 11 where he directed his 5,904 federal prosecutors to make illegal immigration cases a higher priority and work to bring felony charges against who cross the border illegally.

This week, the attorney general flies to Texas and California to meet with law enforcement officials about his priorities. But, until he gets his U.S. attorneys on board, Sessions will be hampered in moving forward with new policies, former Justice Department officials say.

"An acting U.S. attorney doesn't speak with the same authority to a police chief or to a local prosecutor as a Senate-confirmed U.S. attorney does," said Matthew Miller, a former Justice Department spokesman in the Obama administration. "If you're a Democrat, you're probably happy to have these positions filled by career officials because they're less likely to pursue some of the policies that Jeff Sessions supports. But if you're a supporter of the president, you probably want them to move on those positions."

The U.S. attorney process could be delayed many more months because of what is known as the "blue slip" process in Congress, which dates to the early 1900s. Traditionally, the administration consults with the senators of each state before choosing U.S. attorneys. Sessions said the Justice Department will ask for help from Congress and "a number of [names] are going over now." The Senate Judiciary Committee sends a blue piece of paper to each senator to voice their approval or disapproval of a U.S. attorney nominee from their home state.

The attorney general said Tuesday that the U.S. attorney process "does take some months and has traditionally." Sessions himself was asked to resign as the U.S. attorney for Alabama in March 1993 by President Bill Clinton's attorney general, Janet Reno, who, like Sessions, asked all her U.S. attorneys to resign and didn't begin replacing them for a few months.

The Washington Post's Julie Tate contributed to this report.

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A month after dismissing federal prosecutors, no U.S. attorneys in place at Justice Department - Chicago Tribune

FILE- In this April 30, 2013 file photo, Justice Sheila Abdus-Salaam looks on as members of the state Senate Judiciary Committee vote unanimously to advance her nomination to fill a vacancy on the Court of Appeals at the Capitol in Albany, N.Y.(Photo: Mike Groll, AP)

ALBANY -- A New York high court judge found dead Wednesday by the Hudson Riverwas remembered as a trailblazing jurist known for her thoughtful decisions and sunny demeanor.

Judge Sheila Abdus-Salaam, 65, became the first African-American womanappointed to the Court of Appeals in 2013, serving for four years on the state's top court before she was discoveredon theManhattan side of the river Wednesday afternoon.

There was no sign Thursday of a crime having being committed, according to police. Police were investigating her death as a suicide, the New York Times reported.

Judge found dead by Hudson River

AG Eric Holder lauds law school classmate

Smooth sailing for Cuomo's Court of Appeals pick

In a statement, New York Chief Judge Janet DiFiore said Abdus-Salaam's smile "could light up the darkest room."

"Her personal warmth, uncompromising sense of fairness, and bright legal mind were an inspiration to all of us who had the good fortune to know her," said DiFiore, a former Westchester County district attorney who served on the bench with Abdus-Salaam for the past 15 months.

Abdus-Salaam was appointed to the seven-member high court byGov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, and was confirmed by the Republican-led Senate without opposition in May 2013.

Prior to serving on the Court of Appeals, Abdus-Salaam was a judge at the Appellate Division and Supreme Court levels for 20 years.

She was a Columbia Law School classmate of former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, who lauded Abdus-Salaam at herswearing-in ceremony in Albany four years ago.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo called Abdus-Salaam a "trailblazing jurist whose life in public service was in pursuit of a more fair and more just New York for all."

"As the first African-American woman to be appointed to the states Court of Appeals, she was a pioneer," he said in a statement. "Through her writings, her wisdom, and her unshakable moral compass, she was a force for good whose legacy will be felt for years to come."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Sheila Abdus-Salaam, NY judge found dead, remembered as 'trailblazer' - The Journal News | LoHud.com

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A task force including Mexican law enforcement officials, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents and U.S. Border Patrol Border Patrol BORTAC (Border Patrol Tactical Unit) agents arrested accused killer Heraclio Osorio-Arellanes, in Mexico earlier this week, Breitbart Texas reported. Court records obtained by Breitbart Texas stated immigration officials deported Osorio-Arellanes seven times before he returned illegally on December 14, 2010, as part of a Mexican bandit rip crew. The accused killer of Agent Terry opened fire on the BORSTAR team in southern Arizona that had been dispatched to find the rip crew which had been robbing other drug and human smuggling convoys in the area.

We just heard that Brians shooter had been deported seven times, Brian Terrys brother, Kent Terry, told Breitbart Texas. This is a death that could have been prevented.

The allegation that Osorio-Arellanes shot Agent Terry with a gun supplied by the U.S. Government in a gun-running operation called Fast and Furious made his death even more painful to the family members. To this date, no U.S. law enforcement official involved in supplying over 2,000 guns to Mexican drug cartels under this program have been held to account. The House of Representatives found Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to be in contempt of Congress for refusing to turn over documents related to the Fast and Furious program, Breitbart News reported in June 2012. Seventeen House Democrats joined with the Republican majority in finding Holder in contempt.

Photo of Brian Terry in training. (Photo: Brian Terry Foundation)

Bob, this arrest puts us another step closer to getting those accountable for Brians senseless death that could have been prevented, Kent Terry explained. But the real criminals that President Trump and Attorney General Sessions need to look at are Eric Holder, Thomas Brandon, Bill Newell, and the rest who started this scandal known as Fast and Furious.

Mr. Trump promised me he would open the books in Brians death and now is the time, an exasperated Kent Terry stated. My family has waited long enough. In the meantime, I will continue to fight for Brian and Zapata.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agent Jaime Zapata was also killed by Mexican cartel members using weapons obtained through the Fast and Furious Program.

Our family is extremely happy to hear of the capture of one of the subjects involved in Brians murder, Terrys sister, Michelle Terry-Balogh told Breitbart Texas. This is just another step forward toward getting the justice he truly deserves.

We want to express our gratitude to the Mexican officials and all the divisions of our US law enforcement that made this apprehension possible, Michelle expressed. She sends a special thank you to Brians brothers in green who are part of the elite BORTAC team that assisted in the apprehension of this suspect.

The Terry family continues the fight to bring those held accountable for the botched gun program fast n furious that killed my brother and to honor him through the Brian Terry Foundation that was established to honor his legacy, she said, echoing Kents call for justice.

Kent Terry (L) and Michelle Terry-Balogh (R) with then-presidential candidate Donald Trump. (Photo: Kent Terry via Facebook)

Brian Terrys third sibling, Kelly Terry-Willis also expressed her gratitude to all involved in bringing Brians accused killer to justice.

I would like to thank every person involved from day one in the search and apprehension of the latest suspect, Kelly expressed. It does not go unnoticed that they put their lives at risk for this mission to be successful. We are closer to justice for Brian.

This latest news gave us more hope than we have had in awhile, she said cautiously. My guard is still up with this new administration because of all the lies and cover-ups from the previous one, but I more optimistic and hopeful than I have been in six years. Brian cannot and will not be forgotten.

Nearly one year ago, then-presidential candidate Donald Trump met with the Terry family about their brothers murder, Breitbart Texas reported.

He told us how sorry he was about Brians senseless death, Kent Terry told this reporter after the meeting. Mr. Trump said it was shameful on this administration for starting a scandal like this and shameful for what theyre doing about it.

He also is very sincere about Brians death. Yes, he promised us if he becomes president, he will open the books on Fast and Furious.

The Terry family believes it is now time for President Trump and the Republican led Congress do deliver on their promises.

Bob Priceserves as associate editor and senior political news contributor for Breitbart Texas. He is a founding member of the Breitbart Texas team. Follow him on Twitter@BobPriceBBTXandFacebook.

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EXCLUSIVE Family of Slain Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry Says Eric Holder Among 'The Real Criminals ... - Breitbart News

A pioneering judge, who became the first Muslim woman in US history to serve on the bench, was found dead Wednesday washed up on the Manhattan side of the Hudson River, sources said.

Sheila Abdus-Salaam, 65, was discovered floating in the water near 132nd Street and Hudson Parkway around 1:45 p.m., according to police sources.

Witnesses had spotted her fully clothed body and called 911, cops said.

Sources told The Post that Abdus-Salaam, an associate judge of the Court of Appeals, had been reported missing from her home in Harlem earlier in the day.

Her husband later identified her body. Sources said it showed no obvious signs of trauma or injuries indicating criminality or foul play,and that her death appeared to be a suicide.

Justice Sheila Abdus-Salaam was a trailblazing jurist whose life in public service was in pursuit of a more fair and more just New York for all, Gov. Andrew Cuomo wrote in a statement Wednesday night.

She was a pioneer, he said. Through her writings, her wisdom, and her unshakable moral compass, she was a force for good whose legacy will be felt for years to come. I was proud to appoint her to the states highest court and am deeply saddened by her passing.

After receiving her degree from Columbia Law School, she began her legal career working as a staff attorney at East Brooklyn Legal Services. Abdus-Salaam rose through the state ranks before eventually being elected to the Supreme Court in 1993.

She was then appointed to the Court of Appeals by Cuomo in 2013.Former US Attorney General Eric Holder, who went to Columbia with Abdus-Salaam, was in attendance for her historic swearing-in ceremony and described how she had defined herself by her relentless pursuit of excellence while also managing to be a great dancer.

Sheila could boogie, Holder joked at the time. She was witty and a great deal of fun to spend time with.

Abdus-Salaam went on to note how unlikely her and Holders professional achievements in law would have been four decades ago.

Who knew that we would both attain such high positions, and that you would be the first black United States attorney general, and I would be the first black woman on the New York Court of Appeals? she told him with a big smile.

As word of Abdus-Salaams death spread Wednesday, countless lawyers and judges began paying tribute to her.

Im deeply saddened at having lost a dear friend and colleague, and the court has suffered a terrible blow, Jonathan Lippman, chief judge of the state Court of Appeals from 2009 to 2015, told The Post.

She was a superb jurist and an even more superb human being, he said. I knew her for many, many years. To some degree, we grew up together in the court. Ive known her in all her different roles in the court. Its just so shocking. She was a very genteel, lovely lady and judge. If you ask anyone about her, people would say only the most wonderful things. Thats why it makes it even more difficult to understand.

Additional reporting by Jazmin Rosa

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Judge found dead in Hudson River was 'force for good' | New York ... - New York Post

The class of 2017 can count on all the traditional trappings of college commencement: caps and gowns, Pomp and Circumstance, and a heaping helping of left-wing politics.

Academias longstanding liberal bias has only hardened after last Novembers election sent Donald Trump to the White House, a Post review of more than 200 colleges commencement plans reveals.

It is a reflection of orthodoxy, as well as a fear of disturbance, said John O. McGinnis, a law professor and campus speech analyst at Northwestern University. Students realize that they can push the administration around.

Just four colleges have asked members of the Trump administration to speak at graduation this year. But at least 14, from Columbia University to Stanford, plan to give Obama administration officials like Joe Biden, Valerie Jarrett, John Kerry and Eric Holder honorary degrees and speaking slots.

Only Trump himself, Vice President Mike Pence and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke are set to appear at college graduation ceremonies.

Compare that to 2009, the first year of the Obama administration, when 14 Cabinet members and staffers were so honored, according to CampusReform.com. President Obama gave three commencement addresses that spring.

Trump, whose sole commencement appearance will be at evangelical Liberty University on May 13, did not receive the traditional invitation from University of Notre Dame that five of the last six presidents have accepted in their first year in office.

Instead, Pence will appear at the Catholic college, despite a growing campus protest against his visit.

Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton and Sen. Elizabeth Warren have two invitations each, and Sen. Bernie Sanders has three, including a speech at CUNYs Brooklyn College.

The college watchdog group FIRE, which tracks protests against campus speakers, saw a sharp spike in commencement controversies in 2013 and 2014, when right-leaning guests like Dr. Ben Carson and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice were forced out of commencement roles and colleges learned their lesson.

Many schools have begun to invite less controversial commencement speakers, and a lot of schools now have internal speakers only, said FIREs Ari Cohn.

The University of Michigan announced in March that it would abandon its commencement speaker tradition this year.

Twenty colleges The Post reviewed are hosting current and former Democratic elected officials, including Howard Dean, Rep. John Lewis and Sens. Kamala Harris, Tim Kaine, Cory Booker and Tammy Duckworth.

But only 10 of the schools are hosting Republican senators and governors nearly all of them, like former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maine Sen. Susan Collins, political moderates.

The atmosphere of orthodoxy is now being enforced by violent or at least unpleasant protests that discourage viewpoint diversity, said McGinnis, pointing to demonstrations that silenced right-leaning speakers at Claremont McKenna College and Middlebury College in the last two months.

Cohn concurred.

What we are seeing is a demand for ideological purity in totality, he said. Not only an increasing unwillingness to listen to a speech you might disagree with, but an unwillingness to allow anyone else to listen to people you disagree with.

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Dems are always invited to give commencement speeches - New York Post