Thomas Wheeler II, left, and Adam Mildred, right, have been nominated as U.S. Attorneys for Indiana’s federal districts. (LinkedIN and Federalist Society)
After a five-month search, President Donald Trump nominated two Hoosiers to serve as U.S. Attorneys for Indiana’s Northern and Southern Districts, the White House confirmed.
Trump tapped Adam Mildred, a longtime deputy prosecutor from Allen County, to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana. Mildred has led more than 200 prosecutions since taking office in 2000.
For the Southern District, Trump selected Thomas Wheeler II, who currently serves as Acting General Counsel at the Department of Education. His prior positions include Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the Department of Justice, Senior Advisor to the White House School Safety Commission, and Counsel to the Secretary of Education. He also was a partner at Bose McKinney & Evans LLP, an Indianapolis law firm.
Both terms last four years, and they must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
Alongside the nominations, Trump named Scott Proctor as Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana. Previously, he worked as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of Oklahoma.
U.S. attorneys represent the federal government in litigation and serve as the chief federal law enforcement officers in their districts.
Indiana U.S. Sen. Jim Banks praised the president’s nominees in a statement released Monday.
“President Trump nominated two strong candidates to be the U.S. Attorneys for Indiana. Adam Mildred and Tom Wheeler have decades of experience and are deeply committed to upholding law and order. They both will bring integrity to the job and I look forward to voting for their confirmation soon. I’m also grateful for Acting U.S. Attorney Scott Proctor’s service to Indiana during this time,” Banks said.
U.S. Sen. Todd Young added his thoughts on Tuesday — “Adam Mildred’s and Thomas Wheeler’s experience and expertise would make them assets to the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana. I look forward to supporting both individuals through their confirmation process.”
Traditionally, U.S. Attorneys resign at the start of a new administration. Former U.S. Attorney’s Clifford Johnson and Zachary Myers stepped down before Trump took office Jan. 20. Acting Attorneys John Childress and Tina Nommay have filled the roles since then.
Several nominations and appointments were sent to the Senate Tuesday for confirmation.