Trump's ex-lawyer Blanche set for confirmation as US attorney general amid Democratic opposition
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- Todd Blanche, former personal lawyer to President Trump, is set for confirmation as U.S. attorney general despite Democratic opposition.
- Democrats, including Senator Dick Durbin, criticized the appointment, arguing Blanche would prioritize the president's interests over the public's.
- Republican holdouts were swayed, allowing Blanche's confirmation by a narrow margin after he rescinded controversial proposals regarding a "political anti-weaponization fund" and audit immunity for Trump.
Todd Blanche, President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, is poised for confirmation as the U.S. attorney general, with Senate Republicans overcoming Democratic objections. The appointment has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats who argue it politicizes the Justice Department.
The attorney general is supposed to be the people's lawyer. Mr. Blanche continues to operate as the president's personal lawyer.
Senator Dick Durbin, a leading Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, stated, "The attorney general is supposed to be the people's lawyer. Mr. Blanche continues to operate as the president's personal lawyer," accusing him of treating the Justice Department like a law firm serving only the president.
Blanche, who has been serving in an acting capacity, represented Trump in several criminal trials. His confirmation faced potential hurdles due to Republicans' narrow Senate majority. Initially, two Republican senators indicated they would not support him, but a third, Senator Bill Cassidy, announced his support Friday, securing Blanche's confirmation by the slimmest of margins, with all Democrats expected to vote against him.
Mr Blanche continues to operate as the president's personal lawyer, treating the Justice Department like a law firm serving one client - the president.
Democrats have opposed Blanche since the outset, viewing his appointment as part of Trump's effort to bring independent agencies under his direct control. A key sticking point was Blanche's proposal for a $1.8 billion fund for alleged "victims of politicized prosecutions" and an immunity agreement for Trump from tax audits. Blanche ultimately addressed these concerns by issuing a written order to scrap the "anti-weaponization fund" and limiting the audit immunity to past tax years.
Trump ... calls Blanche a 'star.'
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by CNA in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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