Registrieren

In a party line vote of 12-10, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general on Wednesday; a full Senate vote is expected in the coming days. The vote prompted a wave of criticism from feminist leaders, democracy advocates and Democratic lawmakers, who warned President Donald Trump's former personal defense attorney has repeatedly demonstrated his loyalty to the president over the Constitution, and could further erode the Justice Department's independence at a pivotal moment for U.S. democracy, while also threatening access to reproductive healthcare. "He is not America's lawyer," Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) said on the Senate floor. "He is about to become Trump's sword against his adversaries and shield against any scrutiny." "Our Republican colleagues see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil," Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) said during debate. As the Senate prepared to vote on Todd Blanche's confirmation as attorney general, another major development emerged, adding fresh urgency to warnings from reproductive rights advocates: A new Politico report reveals Blanche privately pledged antiabortion leaders the DOJ would pursue a crackdown on medication abortion if confirmed with the goal of "the Dobbs decision [becoming] permanent in every single state."