Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is poised for his Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing, with a call to confirm him before the August recess. However, a referral for bar discipline by an Obama-appointed judge, Kathleen Williams, issued days before the hearing, has drawn sharp criticism.
Mike Davis, founder and president of the Article III Project, argues in a Fox News opinion piece that Williams' referral is a politically timed "drive-by attack" intended to derail Blanche's nomination. Davis asserts that Blanche is "unquestionably qualified" for the position, citing his prior confirmation as deputy attorney general and his service as acting attorney general. He also highlights Blanche's experience as President Trump's private attorney in cases involving "Biden lawfare," suggesting this experience makes him uniquely suited to reform the Justice Department.
The referral stems from a lawsuit filed by former federal judges who were not parties to the original case. Williams, in her order, referred Blanche and Stanley Woodward for bar discipline over a supposedly collusive settlement. Davis contends that Williams acted "lawlessly" by entertaining a motion from nonparties with no standing in the case and by ordering money paid to individuals not involved in the litigation. He characterizes the ruling as "legally absurd" and a "political disgrace."
Davis further criticizes Williams, referencing past rulings that were overturned by the Eleventh Circuit. These include an order regarding jail facilities during the pandemic and a decision striking down Florida's vaccine passport law. He also points to her order to close the "Alligator Alcatraz" detention facility, which he states was a state-run facility and not subject to federal environmental law, an order that was also reversed.
Davis compares the situation to the Senate's confirmation of Third Circuit Judge Emil Bove, who faced last-minute allegations that the Senate ultimately ignored. He urges the Senate to similarly disregard Williams' referral and confirm Blanche, asserting that the Eleventh Circuit will likely reverse her order.
Blanche previously appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee for his confirmation hearing. The referral by Judge Williams occurred two days prior to this hearing. The Justice Department had stated it would not move forward with an Anti-Weaponization Fund.