Hearings to examine the nominations of Terrance Cole, of Virginia, to be Administrator of Drug Enforcement, and Gadyaces Serralta, of Florida, to be Director of the United States Marshals Service, both of the Department of Justice.

This congressional hearing considers the nominations of Terence Cole to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration and Gadiases Serrata to lead the U.S. Marshal Service. Both nominees bring extensive law enforcement experience, with Cole having served in Colombia, Afghanistan, and Mexico, and Serrata having led the Southern District of Florida Marshal Service for seven years. The hearing focuses on critical issues including the fentanyl crisis, with Cole stating that over 300 Americans die daily from drug overdoses, primarily due to illicit fentanyl from China and Mexico. He advocates for designating cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and calls for stronger diplomatic and enforcement actions in Mexico and China. Serrata emphasizes judicial security, criticizing recent efforts by the administration to deputize private security guards and reduce agency staffing, and asserts that protecting judges is the Marshal Service’s primary mission. The hearing also addresses concerns about resource reallocation from DEA to immigration enforcement and the importance of public education to combat drug misuse among youth. Witnesses stress the need for bipartisan, multi-agency coordination to address the fentanyl crisis and protect national public safety.