Todd Blanche Faces 1-Vote Confirmation Risk as GOP Questions Jan. 6 Stance, $1.8 Billion Fund
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 12
Todd Blanche Faces 1-Vote Confirmation Risk as GOP Questions Jan. 6 Stance, $1.8 Billion Fund
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 12
Summary
One Republican defection could deadlock the Senate Judiciary Committee and effectively sink Todd Blanche’s bid to become permanent attorney general at Wednesday’s confirmation hearing.
Thom Tillis, an undecided North Carolina Republican, had warned he would oppose Blanche if he proved too soft on Jan. 6 rioters, though he later said he had a “positive predisposition” after meeting him.
Blanche’s vulnerability has been sharpened by his signoff on a $1.8 billion fund that could have been funneled to people who stormed the Capitol, keeping GOP concerns alive despite Tillis’s warmer tone.
The narrow margin gives Republican committee members unusual leverage to press Blanche, 51, for concrete commitments, while Democrats argue he remains too closely tied to Donald Trump after serving as his personal lawyer.