Breaking with Trump, Collins announces opposition to AG nominee Todd Blanche

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins announced Tuesday that she would oppose the confirmation of Todd Blanche for attorney general.

“While I believe Mr. Blanche is a capable lawyer, the Department of Justice has become increasingly political,” the Maine Republican wrote in a statement announcing her opposition to Blanche, who previously served as President Donald Trump’s criminal defense lawyer. 

Collins cited several actions taken by Blanche as acting attorney general that she said has further eroded the department’s independence. These included Blanche’s initial approval of the controversial $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund that the nominee later said he had “rescinded.” Collins also pointed to Blanche’s attempts to indict Democratic Sens. Mark Kelley of Arizona and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan over videos encouraging military resistance to unlawful orders, his approval of an order shielding Trump and his family business from IRS audits, and promises made to an anti-abortion organization that he would work to ban the mailing of abortion medication to women nationwide. 

Collins’ announcement came the same day that the Senate Judiciary Committee voted along party lines to advance Blanche’s nomination after two holdout Republicans were assured the $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund is dead.

The final Senate vote on Blanche’s confirmation has not been scheduled, but Collins’ opposition will make his path even more narrow as the GOP holds a three-seat majority in the chamber.