President Donald Trump on Friday nominated Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina Nolan to serve as Vermont's U.S. Attorney.

Nolan, a native Vermonter who graduated from the University of Vermont and Boston College Law School, would become the first woman to hold the top federal prosecutor's job in Vermont if the U.S. Senate confirms her.

Both U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Republican Gov. Phil Scott recommended Nolan in June, calling her a "fair and tough" prosecutor.
In a joint statement Friday, Leahy and Scott pledged to advocate for her confirmation.



"Christina is a tough and well-respected prosecutor who is uniquely familiar with the challenges of our state’s opioid crisis," they said. "We were both impressed by Christina’s passion for the state of Vermont and for the mission of a prosecutor — to seek justice and improve our communities — as well as her thoughtfulness and leadership."

In a statement announcing the nomination, the White House on Friday said that Nolan, along with nominees for other U.S. Attorney spots across the country, shares Trump's vision for "making America safe again."

Nolan has worked as a federal prosecutor in Vermont since 2010, handling an array of cases including complex drug trafficking offenses, money laundering, firearms offenses, violent crime and crimes against children, the Trump administration said in its statement.

Before taking a job as a federal prosecutor, Nolan worked for the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office in Massachusetts and at a private firm, Goodwin Procter LLP, in Boston.

Nolan did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The permanent U.S. Attorney's position in Burlington has been vacant since former U.S. Attorney Eric Miller resigned in February. In his resignation letter, Miller took jabs at Trump's policies on immigration and refugees.

Another longtime assistant federal prosecutor, Eugenia Cowles, has served as the acting U.S. Attorney since Miller's departure.

The office has 45 employees, including 20 attorneys, and is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes and representing the federal government in civil litigation in Vermont.