Judiciary Committee Vote Advancing Blanche’s Nomination Is Deeply Troubling for Rule of Law
August 4, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following is a statement from Amb. Norm Eisen (ret.), co-founder and board member of Democracy Defenders Action, on the Judiciary Committee’s vote today advancing Todd Blanche’s nomination to attorney general.
“Today’s vote to advance Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general is a slap in the face to the rule of law. Blanche is likely the least qualified and most ethically compromised nominee for attorney general to ever come before the United States Senate for confirmation.
“Despite rightful concerns raised by a small group of committee members over the self-dealing of the slush fund and continued stonewalling on the Epstein files, today those senators completely capitulated. On the slush fund, the Committee asked for a legally binding commitment that the fund would not move forward and then accepted a pinky promise from a nominee who has proven himself wholly untrustworthy after serving as Deputy and Acting Attorney General.
“This so-called deal is completely hollow. Nothing changes the terms of the actual settlement agreement, which cannot be modified without all parties’ consent. As a result, Blanche could reverse course tomorrow if he wanted. But more importantly, this deal is just another show of bad faith. Blanche has proven that he doesn’t care for the rule of law, and that view is reinforced each day as more and more courts rule against the Justice Department.
“What is more important is what is not in this deal with the capitulating Senators. The Trump family and organization continue to be immunized from IRS enforcement on past returns, even after Judge Williams ruled that the basis for that protection — the original settlement — was illegal. Epstein survivors have received no further assurances that their cases will be looked into, with one survivor stating that Blanche was dismissive of their pleas for assistance. And nothing prevents Blanche from continuing to use his office to attack the personal and political foes of the president.
“The Judiciary vote today is a major step towards installing Blanche as the primary gatekeeper for the president’s autocratic desires. That office has historically been the biggest partition protecting the American people from corruption. A vote to confirm a loyalist like Todd Blanche is a vote against government responsibility, ethics and public trust.”
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Democracy Defenders Action brings together a nonpartisan team to work with national, state, and local allies across the country to defend in real-time the foundations of our democracy.
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