Padilla Statement on Trump’s Nomination of Todd Blanche for United States Attorney General

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement after President Trump announced his plan to nominate Todd Blanche to be U.S. Attorney General:

"As Acting Attorney General, Todd Blanche has shown he is more loyal to Donald Trump than to federal law - from supporting his 'anti-weaponization' slush fund, to shielding the President and his family from tax audits, to perpetuating the cover-up of the Epstein files.

"We deserve an Attorney General who will put the Constitution above political retribution. Trump's former personal lawyer will never be fit to be the American people's lawyer."

Senator Padilla has fought to hold Trump's Department of Justice (DOJ) accountable. Last month, Padilla slammed Acting Attorney General Blanche for establishing the $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" slush fund and highlighted that the slush fund could be used to compensate or financially reward convicted January 6 insurrectionists. Last year, Padilla voted against advancing Blanche for U.S. Deputy Attorney General and warned against nominating Trump's allies who refuse to commit to upholding key constitutional provisions.

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