Menendez delivers remarks encouraging all Senators to confirm Jamel Semper to the U.S. District Court of New Jersey
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) Wednesday delivered remarks on the Senate floor encouraging bipartisan support for the confirmation of Jamel Semper to serve as a judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
Senator Menendez personally recommended Mr. Semper, a dedicated public servant who has devoted his career to keeping New Jerseyans safe as a prosecutor, for this position. Throughout the nomination and confirmation process, Mr. Semper has received support from leading voices in communities of color across New Jersey, reflecting the trust he has built between law enforcement and New Jersey’s diverse population.
Since 2021, Sen. Menendez has consistently urged President Biden to appoint federal court judges to address New Jersey’s “judicial emergency” of several longstanding district court vacancies prior to the Biden Administration. With this confirmation, Mr. Semper is the ninth Federal District Judge of New Jersey that President Joe Biden has nominated and the Senate has confirmed, including Julien X. Neals, Zahid Quraishi, Christine O’Hearn, Karen Williams, Georgette Castner, Evelyn Padin, Michael Fabiarz, and Robert Kirsch.
“Time and time again, Mr. Semper has kept New Jerseyans safe while also building bridges between residents and those who have sworn an oath to protect them,” Menendez said. “Mr. Semper’s confirmation today not only furthers our collective goal of addressing judicial vacancies across our country, it also advances our efforts to diversify the federal bench. It brings us one step closer towards ensuring that our most hallowed institutions reflect the rich tapestry of America.”
Jamel Semper has been a prosecutor for nearly his entire career, and previously served as Director of the Special Prosecution Unit in the Essex County Prosecutors Office. He began his time at the United States Attorney’s Office in the Violent Crimes Unit and has since held the positions of head of the Newark Violent Crime Unit, Chief of the Organized Crime and Gang Unit, and Chief of the Violent Crime Unit.
Jamel is currently the Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division at the United States Attorneys’ Office, a role in which he establishes and implements the New Jersey USAO’s violent crime reduction strategy.
