Collins drops the hammer on Trump's pick to lead DOJ, jeopardizing path to confirmation

The road to confirmation just got bumpier for acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.After surviving a key committee vote on Tuesday, Blanche’s fate became even more uncertain as Republican leaders eye a full floor vote to confirm him.That’s because Sen.

Susan Collins, R-Maine, is not going to back him."While I believe Mr.Blanche is a capable lawyer, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has become increasingly political," Collins said in a statement.

"Mr.Blanche has taken several actions that have further eroded the Department’s independence, and that is the basis for my vote to oppose his confirmation."TRUMP'S AG PICK SURVIVES — FOR NOW — AS REPUBLICANS QUESTION IF WHITE HOUSE DEAL WILL HOLDSen.

Susan Collins, R-Maine, said Tuesday she's not backing President Donald Trump's pick for attorney general.(Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images, File)Collins’ decision came after reviewing Blanche’s qualifications to be the replacement for former Attorney General Pam Bondi, including records and his responses during his appearance before the Senate Appropriations Committee that she chairs and his confirmation hearing.She listed several reasons to go against Blanche, including his approval of a "shield" from IRS audits for Trump, his sons and family and the nearly $2 billion anti-weaponization fund, which has rankled the feathers of several Republicans since its announcement earlier this year.Collins also pointed to his promises to anti-abortion organizations that he would try to halt mailed abortion medication, his attempted indictments of Sens.

Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., and Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., for their "ill-advised, but constitutionally protected, videos encouraging resistance to unlawful orders," and pushback from over 1,200 Justice Department employees as basis to buck his nomination.TRUMP'S AG PICK OFF LIFE SUPPORT AFTER KEY REPUBLICAN REBELS RELENTActing Attorney General Todd Blanche listens during a news conference at the Justice Department in W...