Mike out, Jack in

Enewetak Senator Jack Ading (left) takes the oath of office as the new Minister of Justice, Immigration and Labor from Chief Justice Carl Ingram as Ading’s wife Luren holds the Bible. Photo: Hilary Hosia.
Enewetak Senator Jack Ading (left) takes the oath of office as the new Minister of Justice, Immigration and Labor from Chief Justice Carl Ingram as Ading’s wife Luren holds the Bible. Photo: Hilary Hosia.

President Hilda Heine removed Senator Mike Halferty from her Cabinet last Thursday. The removal of Halferty took the form of a memo from the President titled: “Revocation of appointment and vacation of office by Minister.” The brief memo signed by the President stated that by the power vested in her by the RMI Constitution, “I…do hereby revoke the appointment of Minister of Justice Michael Halferty.”

The revocation was issued June 21 with immediate effect.

Halferty was initially Minister of Transportation and Communications. After over a year in that role, he switched portfolios with Minister Thomas Heine to become head of the Justice Ministry.

Monday this week, the President nominated Enewetak Senator Jack Ading to replace Halferty and Vice Speaker Jejwarick Anton signed for Speaker Kenneth Kedi confirming the appointment.

Ading served previous governments from the late 2000s through 2015 as minister of Finance.

Ading became the new Minister of Justice, Immigration and Labor Tuesday at the Cabinet Conference Room as Chief Justice Carl Ingram presided over a swear-in ceremony witnessed by Cabinet members, senators and families.

Acting President John Silk designated the ministerial portfolio on behalf of President Hilda Heine following an official appointment of duty by Vice Speaker Anton.

“Before I took this post, I had a call from the President last week,” Ading said. “I told her when it comes to the interest of the people, I place politics aside.”

Read more about this in the June 29, 2018 edition of the Marshall Islands Journal.