Collins Withholds Support for Trump’s DOJ Pick, Complicating Path to Senate Confirmation

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s confirmation prospects dimmed considerably after Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins announced she will vote against his nomination. Collins’ defection came following her review of Blanche’s record, testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee and his confirmation hearing before the broader chamber.

In a statement, Collins expressed concern that Blanche has compromised the Justice Department’s institutional independence through several controversial decisions. She cited his approval of tax audit exemptions for Trump and his family members, creation of a nearly $2 billion anti-weaponization fund, commitments to anti-abortion groups regarding mailed medication restrictions, and attempted prosecutions of two Democratic senators as reasons for her opposition.

Collins also referenced resistance from more than 1,200 Justice Department employees and the attempted indictments of Sens. Mark Kelly of Arizona and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan for what she characterized as “ill-advised, but constitutionally protected, videos encouraging resistance to unlawful orders.” Blanche would replace former Attorney General Pam Bondi if confirmed.

Republicans can now afford to lose only one additional vote before confirmation fails, given that Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky remains absent with no set return date. Other Republican senators expressing reservations include Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, John Curtis of Utah and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana.

Senate leadership had negotiated a deal between Blanche and the Justice Department with Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina and John Cornyn of Texas to secure their Judiciary Committee support. The agreement purported to kill the anti-weaponization fund and narrow the scope of audit immunity for Trump and family members, though critics questioned whether the deal would be binding after confirmation.