Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s confirmation just hit a major snag after Sen. Susan Collins announced she will oppose him, turning a committee survival into a much tougher fight on the Senate floor. Her decision rests on concerns about the Department of Justice’s direction under Blanche, several controversial actions he’s taken, and a deal that many Republicans say does not lock in commitments. With key GOP votes still uncertain and Senate dynamics in flux, the path to confirmation is suddenly precarious.
Susan Collins made her position plain and factual: “While I believe Mr. Blanche is a capable lawyer, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has become increasingly political,” she said after reviewing records and his committee testimony. She added, “Mr. Blanche has taken several actions that have further eroded the Department’s independence, and that is the basis for my vote to oppose his confirmation.” That kind of language from a Republican who chairs the Appropriations Committee carries weight in a narrowly divided Senate.
Collins pointed to a handful of moves by Blanche that alarm conservatives, starting with his role in approving what opponents call a “shield” from IRS audits for Trump, his sons and family. She also flagged the nearly $2 billion anti-weaponization fund, which many Republicans view as a tempting slush fund that could be used for political ends. Those items feed a broader unease that DOJ under Blanche might act less as an independent law enforcement agency and more like a partisan tool.
Another concern raised was Blanche’s engagement with anti-abortion groups, where he reportedly promised efforts to try to halt mailed abortion medication. That pledge lands hard with Republicans who see it as both an overreach and a politically loaded promise. It dovetails with internal pushback at the Justice Department, where more than 1,200 employees reportedly expressed unease, underscoring the friction inside the agency.
Collins also cited Blanche’s attempted actions toward two Democratic senators tied to viral videos, accusing them of encouraging resistance. The phrase at the center of that controversy was “ill-advised, but constitutionally protected, videos encouraging resistance to unlawful orders,” and many conservatives argue that pursuing criminal charges in that context threatens free speech and sets a dangerous precedent. That episode feeds the narrative that Blanche’s judgment on politically charged matters is questionable.
The confirmation calculus got even more fragile because Senate Republicans can’t afford many defections. Mitch McConnell’s absence leaves the majority effectively one vote slimmer, and several GOP senators remain undecided or openly uneasy. Names frequently mentioned as potential holdouts include Lisa Murkowski, John Curtis, and Bill Cassidy, any of whom could tip the scales if they refuse to back Blanche.
Blanche and his backers did try to blunt opposition with a deal struck with Sens. Thom Tillis and John Cornyn to narrow the scope of both the audit protections and the anti-weaponization fund. But critics argue the agreement lacks any enforceable mechanism, meaning it would be little more than a gentleman’s promise after confirmation. That worry is exactly why Collins and others say a single committee vote is not enough to set the Justice Department’s trajectory for years to come.
Republican leadership, led by the Senate’s floor managers, is now left scrambling to determine whether a full vote is worth the political cost when the margins are razor thin. Senate Majority Leader John Thune and his team had been pushing to move quickly before a planned August recess, but Collins’ public break forces a reassessment of speed versus prudence. For many conservatives, confirming a nominee who might politicize the DOJ is a gamble they’re no longer willing to take without firmer guarantees.
The debate over Blanche’s nomination has become a test of principle for a party that wants a Justice Department focused on law, not politics. With one high-profile defection and several wavering colleagues, the coming days will show whether Republican leaders can secure a binding path forward or whether Collins’ stance signals a broader resistance to elevating Blanche to the top job.
