In confirming Blanche as US A-G, senators endorse a Justice Department under Trump’s sway

In confirming Todd Blanche as U.S. attorney general, senators effectively endorsed a Justice Department shaped by the influence of President Donald Trump. This decision came after three Republican senators, all facing re-election, narrowly secured Blanche's confirmation despite concerns over his alignment with Trump's policies. These senators argued that Blanche was the only candidate who had earned sufficient trust and maintained close access to the president, making him capable of curbing Trump's more extreme demands. However, Blanche has consistently advocated for an interpretation of the Constitution that grants the president near-unlimited authority over the Justice Department. Blanche's stance became evident throughout his contentious nomination process. He repeatedly emphasized that President Trump has the constitutional right to directly control the Justice Department under Article II of the Constitution. This perspective forms the core of his legal strategy, particularly in his role as Trump's defense attorney. Blanche has avoided addressing whether specific actions ordered by Trump were morally correct, instead focusing solely on the legality of those directives. His confirmation, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, was largely symbolic since he had already been serving as acting attorney general. Nonetheless, it signified congressional approval of his approach, which prioritizes executing every lawful White House directive, regardless of potential conflicts with established policies or ethical standards. From the moment Blanche assumed the role of acting attorney general in April, he asserted that Trump had both the right and duty to initiate investigations into individuals he targeted. Throughout his confirmation hearings, both publicly and privately, Blanche refrained from commenting on the morality of Trump's orders, insisting only that the president had the right to issue them. Barbara McQuade, a law professor at the University of Michigan and former federal prosecutor, highlighted how this represents a significant departure from previous administrations. She stated that while presidents may have the legal capacity to influence the Justice Department, it does not necessarily imply that they should exercise such power. Since the aftermath of the Watergate scandal, American society has valued an independent Justice Department free from political bias. Despite allegations from Trump and his supporters regarding the Biden administration's alleged interference in prosecutorial decisions targeting Republicans, there has been minimal substantiated evidence supporting these claims. Former President Barack Obama, reflecting on his tenure, mentioned adhering to a principle of maintaining distance from the Justice Department to preserve its autonomy, even though it was not a legal requirement. He expressed concern over the notion of the White House directing the attorney general to pursue prosecutions based solely on the president's preferences, emphasizing that the attorney general serves as the people's advocate rather than the president's advisor. President Trump holds a contrasting viewpoint, exemplified by his confrontation with U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro over her decision to drop charges against an individual accused of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Although this incident garnered attention, it was emblematic of the routine interactions between the president and federal prosecutors within this administration. Trump had previously threatened to temporarily revoke Blanche's nomination until two opposing lawmakers left their positions. During Blanche's confirmation hearing, Senator Chris Coons questioned whether the Justice Department would remain independent from the White House. Blanche responded by asserting that Article II of the Constitution affords the executive branch's power to President Trump. Coons further inquired if Blanche would consider resignation should Trump instruct him to perform unlawful or unethical acts. Blanche assured that such a scenario would never occur, yet acknowledged that if it did transpire, he would not breach his constitutional oath. Many Republicans voiced reservations about Blanche's appointment, although their concerns were ultimately overshadowed by the broader implications of endorsing a Justice Department aligned with Trump's vision of executive authority.