Columbia Standard

U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, representing Illinois and serving as the Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued a statement following the advancement of Todd Blanche's nomination for Deputy Attorney General. The committee's decision was split along party lines, with a 12-10 vote.

Durbin expressed concerns about President Trump's nominees, stating: “Far too many of President Trump’s nominees simply don’t understand that they swear an oath to the Constitution, not the President. Todd Blanche falls into that category, which he has shown throughout his nomination process."

Durbin criticized Blanche for his responses during the nomination process: “He repeatedly deflected when asked to condemn President Trump’s full and unconditional pardons of violent insurrectionists who assaulted law enforcement." He further accused Blanche of subscribing to conspiracy theories regarding FBI involvement in the insurrection and failing to recognize legal violations in Trump's dismissal of Inspectors General.

“These are not the actions of a man who can or will tell the President ‘no,’” Durbin stated. He added that this behavior aligns with what he described as "President Trump’s view of 100 percent loyalty."

Durbin concluded by expressing hope that Blanche would act independently if confirmed and urged colleagues to consider these issues before voting on the Senate floor.

In addition to Blanche's nomination, the Judiciary Committee advanced Gail Slater's nomination for Assistant Attorney General of the Antitrust Division with a more bipartisan 20-2 vote.