Former Attorney General Bill Barr is urging Senate Republicans to confirm Todd Blanche as the nominee for attorney general, asserting that Blanche's close working relationship with former President Donald Trump should be viewed as a strength, not a disqualifier.
In a Wall Street Journal opinion piece, Barr contended that Blanche, who previously served as Trump's personal defense lawyer, is well-qualified and possesses the necessary leadership qualities for the Justice Department. Barr wrote that a skilled criminal defense attorney, like Blanche, is accustomed to confronting clients with difficult truths, a trait he believes will enable Blanche to provide Trump with candid advice. Barr suggested that this established trust could make Blanche uniquely positioned to offer counsel that the president will accept.
"A successful criminal-defense lawyer like Mr. Blanche isn't a toady who sugarcoats the truth to his client," Barr stated in his column. "The job demands regularly confronting strong-willed clients with harsh reality. This necessarily involves clashes, but the lawyer's dogged willingness to anchor his client to reality is what builds trust and makes the relationship effective."
Barr's advocacy comes as Blanche faces a potentially challenging confirmation process in the Senate. While Republicans hold a majority, some GOP senators have expressed reservations about the nomination. Concerns have been raised regarding Blanche's past representation of Trump and the Justice Department's aborted effort to establish an Anti-Weaponization Fund.
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, indicated his support remains undecided, citing the fund issue as a point of concern that would need to be resolved before a confirmation hearing. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, also on the Judiciary Committee, stated he is awaiting a full briefing and Blanche's testimony before making a decision.
Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on Blanche's nomination are scheduled for mid-July. Barr, who previously served as attorney general under President George H.W. Bush and President Trump, has at times been a vocal supporter of Trump's policies but later became a prominent critic following the 2020 election.