Senator Tillis,
In recent months you have earned my respect for standing against some Trump's most egregious attacks on our democracy. However, your willingness to support Todd Blanche's nomination for Attorney General will forfeit all the respect that you have earned.
Like John McCain standing tall to get expanded healthcare, I had hoped you would leave on a high note and stop yet another unqualified candidate from taking over the Department of Justice. You could be one of my three Republican heroes along with Dwight Eisenhower and John McCain.
Blanche was Trump’s personal lawyer and as such cannot be trusted to honor anything that he has promised. The New York Times reported today, "Former department officials have said that Mr. Blanche’s written assurances can be easily reversed, or evaded. The department has broad authority to dispense cash to Mr. Trump’s allies through existing department processes. Tax experts said that the new limits on his immunity agreement did nothing to keep Mr. Trump and his family from an enormous windfall offered to no other taxpayers.”
Mr. Cornyn acknowledged on Tuesday that the concessions offered in exchange for his vote could be reversed by Mr. Trump but said he hoped that Mr. Blanche would hold the line."
People have been hoping that Trump appointees would hold the line since his reelection. None have done so. Our only hope is our elected officials. If the Republican Party is to retain a shred of credibility and electability, you need to stop Todd Blanche’s nomination and while you are doing it pass the next War Powers Resolution to give a symbolic rebuke to the President on this illegal war.
To quote the Constitutional Accountability Center, "Whether one focuses on his continued failure to provide the disclosure that the bipartisan Epstein Files Transparency Act required, his attempts to vacate the convictions of violent January 6th rioters, his involvement in the creation of a $1.8 billion slush fund and immunity deal for Donald Trump and his allies, his brazen rejection of the principle of prosecutorial independence, or the massive purges and departures of skilled career staff at the Department of Justice while he served in the Department’s leadership, Todd Blanche’s record disqualifies him from being Attorney General. Nothing in two days of confirmation hearings has adequately addressed the many concerns with his nomination. Quite simply, while Blanche might possess the qualifications to serve as Donald Trump’s personal lawyer, he lacks the qualifications to serve as the American people’s lawyer. Regardless of party affiliation, Senators who take seriously their constitutional duty to provide “Advice and Consent” on presidential nominees and who value the role of the Attorney General as our nation’s top law enforcement officer should vote against Blanchee’s confirmation.”
The New York Bar Association also says he is unqualified.
My family has been in North Carolina since 1790. When I went to Harvard in 1967, I was one of three students to make it into Harvard from North Carolina that year. I studied Colonial History under Bernard Bailyn, A Pulitzer Prize winning author and professor. I know more than the average voter about the issues that helped our founders create the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution. Our founding fathers would be appalled that the Republicans in the House and Senate have rolled over and ceded power to a man bent on usurping all our government's power. You and I both know Trump should have been impeached for extorting Ukraine and inciting the January 6 riots, yet here we are hanging by a threat.
That thread is you. Susan Collins, who I met once in my roll as Director of Federal Sales for Apple, has already said "NO" to Blanche. I know you have more backbone than her. You might want to be a team player because of Senate ties but remember, you will soon be gone from there and hopefully back in NC. What will voters think of your legacy if Trump gets his slush fund and pays off the murderous rioters and keeps his immunity?
How will you be remembered, as a John McCain-like figure willing to stand up for Americans or just another Republican toady willing to do the naked emperor's bidding. I love North Carolina and I want to be proud of its politicians. Make us proud, vote "NO" on Todd Blanche's confirmation.
-David Sobotta
https://ocracokewaves.me/