Senator Susan Collins Announces Opposition to Todd Blanche’s Attorney General Nomination
On Tuesday, Senator Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine, announced her opposition to Todd Blanche’s nomination for Attorney General, citing concerns over the Department of Justice’s increasing politicization.
While acknowledging Blanche’s capabilities as a lawyer, Collins emphasized that the Department of Justice has become increasingly politicized under his leadership. Specifically, she pointed to Blanche’s handling of the Trump administration’s anti-weaponization fund, which she believes has further eroded the department’s independence.
Collins also expressed concerns over Blanche’s commitments to anti-abortion groups, which aim to restrict the mailing of abortion medication. Additionally, she criticized the Justice Department’s failed attempt to indict six Democratic lawmakers over a video encouraging active-duty service members to reject unlawful orders.
The senator’s announcement came hours after Blanche’s nomination was advanced by the Senate Judiciary Committee, where it had stalled due to concerns from two Republican senators, John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina. The latter had stated that they would not vote in Blanche’s favor without written, binding proof that the anti-weaponization fund had been rescinded. Blanche provided this proof late Sunday.
With his nomination advanced to the full Senate, Blanche will require a majority vote to secure confirmation. However, all 45 Democrats and both independents are expected to vote against him. Moreover, with Senator Mitch McConnell still absent and Collins stating she will not support Blanche’s nomination, he can afford to lose the support of only one additional Republican.
Senator John Curtis, R-Utah, who had indicated he might not support Blanche, announced on Tuesday that, following ‘robust discussions’ with the acting attorney general, he would vote for him. This leaves the votes of Republican Sens. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska unknown, neither of whom has commented.
Blanche has been criticized by Democrats, democracy advocates, and legal experts for allegedly further politicizing the Justice Department and using the department to further Trump’s aims, including targeting the president’s perceived political opponents. Specifically, he approved the creation of a nearly $1.8 billion so-called anti-weaponization fund to distribute taxpayer money to those who claim to be victims of the Biden administration’s Justice Department, including those convicted on crimes related to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection of the Capitol.
The fund was part of a settlement reached to resolve a case Trump brought against the federal government seeking $10 billion in damages stemming from an Internal Revenue Service contractor leaking his tax returns to the press. Democrats and even Republicans balked at the fund. Furthermore, as part of the deal, language was included that protects Trump, his two adult sons, and the Trump Organization from certain audits.
Last month, more than 1,200 former DOJ employees spanning 14 administrations issued a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee in opposition to Blanche’s nomination. They argued that the consequences of his politicization of the department leave ‘communities less safe, Americans’ rights less protected, and our national security more vulnerable.’
In a statement, Collins emphasized that while she believes Blanche is a capable lawyer, his actions have led her to conclude that he is not the right person to lead the Department of Justice. ‘For these reasons, I will vote against this nomination,’ she said.
The nomination of Todd Blanche for Attorney General has been anything but smooth, with several Republican senators expressing concerns over his leadership and actions. The latest development in this saga is Senator Susan Collins’ announcement of her opposition to Blanche’s nomination, further narrowing his path to confirmation.
