Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) announced on Thursday that he will not support the confirmation of Todd Blanche as the permanent Attorney General. Fetterman, who has previously voted in favor of some Trump nominees, indicated that his decision is influenced by concerns regarding a recently abandoned $1.776 billion fund related to the Department of Justice. He described the fund as a 'slush fund' and expressed skepticism about its viability amidst ongoing congressional opposition.
Fetterman stated, 'I would not vote for him,' during an interview with NewsNation. He criticized the introduction of the fund at a time when significant issues, such as the Iranian war, are at stake, calling it a distraction.
President Donald Trump is expected to nominate Blanche formally as the full-time Attorney General. Blanche expressed gratitude for the nomination and emphasized his willingness to work with senators across party lines. He was previously confirmed as Deputy Attorney General on a party-line vote, with Fetterman voting against him.
Other senators, including Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), have also voiced opposition to Blanche's nomination, citing concerns about his loyalty to Trump over constitutional principles. On the Republican side, Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and John Cornyn (R-TX) have not yet made a decision regarding their votes on Blanche's confirmation, with Tillis highlighting the importance of Blanche's views on the January 6 Capitol riot.
