WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after the Committee advanced Todd Blanche to be Deputy Attorney General on a party-line 12-10 vote:
“Far too many of President Trump’s nominees simply don’t understand that they swear an oath to the Constitution, not the President. Todd Blanche falls into that category, which he has shown throughout his nomination process.
“He repeatedly deflected when asked to condemn President Trump’s full and unconditional pardons of violent insurrectionists who assaulted law enforcement. In fact, he appears to buy into the conspiracy theory that the FBI is actually responsible for the insurrection. He also refused to acknowledge that the President broke the law when he fired over a dozen Inspectors General with no notice and no justification to Congress. These are not the actions of a man who can or will tell the President ‘no.’ This mindset is unsurprising, as it reflects President Trump’s view of 100 precent loyalty.
“I sure hope that Mr. Blanche conducts himself to the contrary, and that all my colleagues consider these flashing alarms before voting on the Senate floor.”
The Judiciary Committee also voted to advance the nomination of Gail Slater to be Assistant Attorney General of the Antitrust Division in a bipartisan 20-2 vote.
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