The Senate is poised to hold a confirmation hearing Wednesday for Todd Blanche, President Trump's nominee to serve as Attorney General of the United States, just two days after a federal judge raised serious concerns about his professional conduct.
Judge Kathleen Williams of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida issued a ruling Monday expressing being "extremely troubled" by Blanche's behavior in connection with a settlement involving tax audit immunity for President Trump and his family, as well as a potential $1.8 billion payout fund controlled by the administration. In her ruling, Judge Williams referred Blanche's conduct to judicial officials in New York State for potential disciplinary action, including disbarment.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic lawmakers and progressive advocacy groups have seized on Judge Williams' ruling as evidence that Blanche should not lead the Department of Justice. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the judge's findings demonstrate "a profound conflict of interest" that disqualifies Blanche from serving as the nation's top law enforcement official.
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, echoed those concerns in a statement: "A person under consideration for Attorney General must have unimpeachable ethics and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law. Judge Williams' referral for potential disbarment raises fundamental questions about Mr. Blanche's fitness for this role."
Civil rights organizations including the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights called on Senate Republicans to delay the confirmation hearing until the disciplinary proceedings are resolved. "The Attorney General oversees the FBI, federal prosecutors, and civil rights enforcement," the group wrote in a statement. "Installing someone facing potential disbarment in that position undermines the credibility of the entire Justice Department."
What the Right Is Saying
White House officials defended Blanche's qualifications and characterized Judge Williams' ruling as an overreach by a district court judge. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that Blanche "has served this administration with distinction" and noted his experience as a former federal prosecutor.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., dismissed calls to delay the confirmation hearing. "The Senate will consider Mr. Blanche's nomination on its merits," Thune told reporters. "Judicial nominees and sitting judges often disagree with one another. This is not unprecedented."
Conservative legal scholars pointed out that the disciplinary referral remains pending and has not resulted in any action against Blanche's law license. "A referral is not a finding of wrongdoing," said Jonathan Turley, a professor at George Washington University Law School who testified frequently on constitutional matters. "Mr. Blanche deserves due process before any conclusions are drawn about his legal career."
What the Numbers Show
Blanche served as personal counsel to President Trump during his first term and was a partner at a major New York law firm before joining the administration. He has no prior experience leading a federal agency or managing an organization comparable in size to the Department of Justice, which employs more than 115,000 people.
The settlement in question involved the Internal Revenue Service, an agency under executive branch control, negotiating with President Trump as a private citizen regarding his tax audit program. The arrangement provided immunity from IRS audits for the President's family and established a $1.8 billion fund that would be administered by Treasury officials appointed by the administration.
Judge Williams' referral to New York State disciplinary authorities could take months or years to resolve through that state's attorney grievance system. Disbarment proceedings in New York typically require multiple stages of review before any final action is taken against an attorney's license.
The Bottom Line
The confirmation hearing Wednesday will test whether Senate Republicans, who hold a 53-47 majority, have the appetite for a prolonged fight over an Attorney General nominee facing potential disciplinary proceedings. If confirmed, Blanche would oversee federal law enforcement operations including the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, and U.S. attorneys' offices across the country.
Several moderate Republican senators have not yet indicated how they will vote on Blanche's nomination. The White House has urged the Senate to act quickly, citing the need for a permanent Justice Department leader following acting Attorney General James Smith's recusal from matters involving the President.