EDITORIAL: Todd Blanche can make America safer and more prosperous as Attorney General. Senate Republicans should confirm him.
Few Justice Department officials have entered an attorney general confirmation hearing with a stronger record of delivering results than Todd Blanche.
Since joining the Department of Justice, Blanche has helped lead an aggressive effort to crack down on fraud, working alongside Vice President JD Vance and Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson to deliver billions of dollars in savings by targeting Medicaid fraud and protecting taxpayer dollars, a topic the Washington Reporter has covered extensively. At the same time, violent crime has continued to decline as the Department of Justice has prioritized aggressive law enforcement. Every American benefits when criminals are taken off the streets.
That record of success is one of the strongest arguments for confirming Blanche as attorney general.
Blanche has also been a consistent champion for judges who follow the Constitution and apply the law as it is written. Under Blanche’s leadership, DOJ has played an important role getting more conservative judges confirmed at the district and circuit levels. Former Senate Republican Chief Counsel Mike Fragoso has a compelling piece making the case for Blanche that every Senator should read.
Just as important, Blanche has earned a reputation for integrity. As The Federalist first reported, numerous former Department of Justice officials have publicly backed his nomination because they know the qualities required to lead one of the federal government’s most important institutions.
Despite relentless political attacks, Blanche has demonstrated respect for the judicial process. He has complied with every federal district court order issued during his tenure, regardless of whether those decisions were based on law or driven by Trump derangement syndrome. Respecting court orders, even while pursuing appeals or disagreeing with the underlying reasoning, is exactly how our constitutional system is supposed to function.
President Donald Trump also deserves an attorney general he trusts. Every president is entitled to assemble a leadership team capable of carrying out the agenda voters elected him to implement. That does not diminish the attorney general’s independent obligation to faithfully enforce the law. It simply recognizes a basic constitutional reality that has applied to every modern administration.
As former senior Hill staffers, we also recognize that the Senate’s advice-and-consent responsibility is important. Senators can ask tough questions during Blanche’s confirmation hearing. That is their Constitutional duty, and Blanche should expect nothing less. He will be prepared to answer them. Robust oversight produces stronger nominees and stronger institutions.
The Reporter will be covering Blanche’s confirmation hearing closely because the stakes are high. The next attorney general will oversee the fight against terrorism, violent crime, and fraud that costs taxpayers billions of dollars every year.
After senators have asked their questions and completed their constitutional review, the conclusion should be clear. Todd Blanche is a respected, mainstream nominee with a proven record of fighting fraud, defending the Constitution, respecting the rule of law, and delivering results.
We urge Senate Republicans to confirm him immediately.
