Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche faces an unexpectedly rocky path to confirmation as deputy attorney general — with Republican senators on the Judiciary Committee signaling they’re not ready to rubber-stamp President Trump’s pick.
Trump told reporters Wednesday he expects a quick confirmation process for Blanche, his former personal attorney. But key GOP committee members aren’t so sure.
A single Republican vote on the Senate Judiciary Committee could sink the nomination entirely.
“What we need to do right now is focus on the [Anti-Weaponization] Fund, or he’s not going to have a very good time in Judiciary Committee. Just think about what the Democrats would do to him.”
That warning came from Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who is retiring at the end of the year, according to Politico reporting Thursday.
Blanche announced Tuesday that the Trump administration is scrapping the $1.776 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund — a program designed to compensate individuals deemed victims of federal government lawfare.
Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, who lost last week’s Republican primary to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and will leave office in January, told Politico his support depends on Blanche’s answers at the hearing.
“The attorney general is not the president’s private lawyer, so it’s sort of by its nature, it’s a really hard job to do, but I want to make sure he understands the difference and is committed to making sure that the law is enforced.”
Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana said he’s keeping an open mind but added, “I really don’t know” whether Blanche can clear committee or win full Senate confirmation.
Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa expressed optimism, noting that every Republican on the committee voted for Blanche less than a year ago when he was confirmed to his current role.
Democrats are expected to hammer Blanche over his former role as Trump’s personal attorney, questioning whether he can maintain the independence required at the Department of Justice.
Blanche would replace Pam Bondi, whom Trump fired in April.
