The Attorney General in Waiting: A Questionable Appointment Advances

The Senate Judiciary Committee’s advancement of Todd Blanche’s nomination as attorney general has raised serious concerns about the current state of politics in Washington. On a party-line vote, all Republicans on the committee voted in favor of Blanche, while all Democrats opposed him.

Blanche’s nomination was made possible by an agreement between Republican Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis and the nominee himself. This deal clarified the scope of President Donald Trump’s IRS immunity deal and formally rescinded the “Anti-Weaponization Fund.” While this development may bring closure to the controversy surrounding the fund, it raises more questions than answers about Blanche’s qualifications for the position.

Blanche was willing to go along with the creation of the $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” which critics labeled as an attempt to circumvent accountability and enable Trump’s allies to engage in malicious prosecution. Although he has now formally rescinded the fund, there is no guarantee that its provisions will not be revived under a different name or method.

The lack of transparency and the administration’s willingness to play loose with ethics have raised concerns about the impartiality of the Department of Justice. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse noted that this outcome was “a sad and embarrassing day for this committee.” The fact that Blanche’s nomination is now ready for consideration on the Senate floor, despite these concerns, is a worrying sign of the times.

As attorney general, it is not simply a matter of carrying out the president’s wishes or defending his interests. Rather, it is to uphold the law and protect the public interest. Blanche’s willingness to go along with the creation of the “Anti-Weaponization Fund” and his failure to address concerns about its revival raise serious questions about his commitment to these principles.

The Senate can take a procedural vote on Blanche’s nomination as early as Friday, setting up a final confirmation vote for Saturday. While Tillis and Cornyn were crucial in advancing Blanche’s nomination, there remain other Republican senators who have raised concerns about him. With Mitch McConnell still absent from Congress, Blanche will ultimately only be able to lose the support of two Republicans when his nomination comes up for a vote.

The confirmation process should not be a rubber-stamp exercise. It is an opportunity to scrutinize the qualifications and character of nominees and ensure that they are fit to serve in positions of great power. In this case, the concerns about Blanche’s willingness to compromise on ethics and his commitment to upholding the law should give pause to any senator considering voting for him.

The advancement of Blanche’s nomination is a reminder that politics can sometimes take precedence over principle in Washington. As Senator Cory Booker warned, “we are in dangerous waters” with this appointment. We must remain vigilant and continue to scrutinize the actions of our leaders to ensure that they are serving the public interest, not their own interests.