Durbin Statement After Meeting President Trump's Deputy Attorney General Nominee, Todd Blanche
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after meeting with Todd Blanche, President Trump’s nominee to be Deputy U.S. Attorney General:
“In today’s meeting, I raised concerns with Mr. Blanche about serious issues I also voiced to Attorney General Bondi, including the importance of maintaining the independence of Department of Justice investigations and prosecutions from the President. Given the massive upheaval that President Trump has caused at the Justice Department in just his first few days in office—including purging dozens of senior career law enforcement officials at DOJ and FBI and targeting thousands more who could soon be fired—and the fact that Mr. Blanche was a former personal attorney of President Trump, I remain skeptical that this is possible. I also remain concerned over the January 6 insurrectionist pardons—another issue I raised with Mr. Blanche.
“The Senate has a constitutional duty to provide advice and consent on this nomination. We must review all the information necessary to fulfill this duty, and we must continue to examine Mr. Blanche’s record and qualifications thoroughly. When he does come before the Judiciary Committee, I hope we will learn more about Mr. Blanche, his nomination, and his vision for DOJ. The American people deserve leaders at the Justice Department who will protect their fundamental rights, demonstrate independence and integrity, and remain faithful to the Constitution, the country, and the rule of law above all.”
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