Reed Strongly Opposes Todd Blanche for U.S. Attorney General

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, after 50 Senate Republicans voted to confirm Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to be the next U.S. Attorney General, U.S. Senator Jack Reed, who voted against Blanche's nomination, issued the following statement:

"Mr. Blanche's role in concealing the Epstein files and enthusiasm for a self-dealing $1.8 billion MAGA grievance slush fund for President Trump's partisan backers should be disqualifying. He has also shielded President Trump personally from scrutiny over his taxes. I do not believe he is someone who will defend the Constitution and be guided by the rule of law alone.

"His actions have undercut DOJ's independence and compromised the Department's ability to check abuses of power.

"And he has presided over a Department of Justice that has tried to withhold funding for state and local law enforcement and victims of domestic violence.

"The Attorney General is supposed to be the nation's top law enforcement officer, not the President's personal legal enforcer. But that is what Donald Trump wants: a hyper-partisan protector who will target the president's critics and shield him from legal accountability. It's clear from Mr. Blanche's record and statements that he is prioritizing President Trump's political conflicts over traditional DOJ law enforcement and independence. I believe he will seek to provide President Trump with political cover, even if that means covering up serious wrongdoing and preventing damaging facts in the Epstein Files from coming to light."

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