With the Senate Judiciary Committee set to vote this Thursday, July 30th, on Todd Blanche’s nomination as Attorney General, opposition continues to grow, and it now includes the conservative legal movement, retired judges in some of the reddest states in the country, the organized bar, the survivors he was supposed to protect, and the career prosecutors who once sat beside him.
They’ve reached the same conclusion by different paths, and they’re pointing senators to the same record: the $1.8 billion slush fund and permanent audit shield Blanche built for Trump’s family, the Epstein files he’s kept from the public, the prosecutions of the president’s critics, and his refusal to affirm the Justice Department’s independence from the White House.
Todd Blanche has one client, and it’s not the American people.
Here are some of the voices calling on the Senate to reject him, in their own words:
CONSERVATIVE VOICES
Gregg Nunziata, Executive Director of the Society for the Rule of Law Institute, Former Chief Nominations Counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee & Former General Counsel to Sen. Marco Rubio – Society for the Rule of Law: Our Official Letter in Opposition to Todd Blanche’s Attorney General Confirmation
“This Committee and the Senate, however, can never become mere rubber stamps.”
George F. Will, Conservative Columnist – The Washington Post: Todd Blanche’s attorney general nomination deserves a Senate rejection
“What benefit of norms is owed to someone who disdains norms?”
FORMER PROSECUTORS AND DOJ OFFICIALS
Mimi Rocah & Perry A. Carbone, Former Federal Prosecutors in the Southern District of New York Who Served Alongside Blanche – MS NOW: We know Todd Blanche. His DOJ record shows why he shouldn’t be attorney general.
“Unable or unwilling to stop prioritizing the interests of Donald Trump above all else.”
Nick Akerman, Former Assistant Special Watergate Prosecutor & Assistant U.S. Attorney for Southern District of New York – MS NOW: The case against Todd Blanche’s confirmation just got stronger
“Who will stand by Trump’s personal interests over a ruling by a federal judge?”
James D. Zirin, Former Federal Prosecutor in the Southern District of New York, Legal Analyst – The Hill: Todd Blanche should not be confirmed as attorney general
“Represents a travesty of equal justice under law.”
Liz Oyer, Former U.S. Pardon Attorney Fired by Blanche – The Guardian: Ex-DOJ lawyer fired by Todd Blanche urges senators to reject nomination
“I declined to rubber-stamp a political favor for a friend of the president.”
More Than 1,200 Former DOJ Employees Spanning Fourteen Administrations – The Hill: DOJ alums call on senators to reject Blanche nomination as attorney general
“An oath to support and defend the Constitution, not the occupant of the White House.”
Peter Carr, Longtime DOJ Spokesperson Who Joined the Department Under George W. Bush and Was Fired by Blanche, and Perry A. Carbone – News From The States: As vote on Blanche for attorney general nears, ex-DOJ staffers warn against confirmation
“Even the appearance of retaliation for doing one’s job sends a chilling message.”
THE ORGANIZED BAR AND FORMER JUDGES
New York City Bar Association, Representing More Than 20,000 Members: City Bar Urges Senate Judiciary Committee to Reject Todd Blanche as U.S. Attorney General
“Unfit to lead an ethical and independent department of justice.”
101 Former Federal and State Judges Appointed by Presidents of Both Parties – Democracy Defenders Fund:Bipartisan Judges Urge NY Grievance Committee to Reconsider Blanche Ethics Probe Instead of Punting to Blanche’s DOJ
“Prioritized Donald Trump’s personal agenda over the non-partisan integrity demanded by his oath of office.”
70 Wyoming Retired Judges and Attorneys, Including Former Chief Justices of the Wyoming Supreme Court & Former Wyoming Attorneys General, in a Letter to Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis – Wyoming Tribune Eagle: 70 retired judges, attorneys ask Wyoming senators to oppose Todd Blanche nomination
“No ethical lawyer worth his salt would be a part of this colossal abuse.”
EPSTEIN SURVIVORS
Epstein Survivors, in a Letter to the Senate – The Hill: Epstein survivors urge Senate to reject Blanche as attorney general
“An hour of deflection, interruption and gaslighting.”
Danielle Bensky, Epstein Survivor Who Testified at Blanche’s Confirmation Hearing – USA TODAY: I’m an Epstein survivor. Todd Blanche isn’t fit to be Trump’s AG.
“He did not meet with me or any of the survivors I know.”
Annie Farmer, Epstein Survivor Who Testified Against Ghislaine Maxwell – ABC News:Epstein survivor says acting AG Blanche was ‘abrasive, condescending’ during meeting
“Abrasive, condescending, and intentionally noncommittal to survivors.”
31 North Carolina Trafficking Survivors and Advocates, in a Letter to Sen. Thom Tillis – Cardinal & Pine: NC sex trafficking survivors urge Tillis to oppose Todd Blanche for attorney general
“Crime victims deserve an attorney general whose allegiance is to the rule of law alone.”
EDITORIAL BOARDS
The New York Times Ed Board: Todd Blanche Is Unfit for Office
“He views himself as the president’s loyal enforcer.”
National Review Editorial Board: Todd Blanche Nomination for Attorney General Should Be Rejected
“Done more to raise alarms than to distinguish himself as worthy of confirmation.”
The Philadelphia Inquirer Ed Board: Todd Blanche hasn’t stopped putting Trump ahead of the law. That’s why he can’t be attorney general.
“Todd Blanche has shown he works solely for the president and not the people.”