It is between Mr. Blanche and another acting attorney general who may not run the department effectively under President Trump.

He can advise the president, but the president is not obligated to take his advice

A never-ending cycle of prosecuting political enemies undermines the rule of law, degrades the public's trust in our institutions, and makes our politics more extreme.

Senate confirmation is important in interactions with the president, with others in the Cabinet and is important to DOJ employees in general.

I am particularly concerned about episodes of apparent lawfare, DOJ bringing suits against political enemies.

I am realistic that President Trump can be unrelenting on this, but this will be true no matter who the attorney general is.

This does not serve the American people well.

I’ve learned that some of the cases that have been publicly reported to be under investigation by the Department of Justice have been dismissed or no longer being pursued.

It must stop. It should stop now.

This is not a referendum on President Trump, it is a decision regarding Mr Blanche, in very specific circumstances.

I will also note that Mr. Blanche is criticized for things over which he has no control, he points out that he has been criticized for presidential pardons given to Jan. 6 rioters, some of whom assaulted police officers.

This process should be about Mr. Blanche and how he will go forward in a difficult job, and how the American people can be best served.

I have not approached it that way.

All considered, I will vote for Mr Blanche.

that history does not matter one bit.

I cannot overstate Mr. Walls’ and Mr. Courcelle’s support for Mr. Blanche.

Being Senate-confirmed gives him greater leverage to push for things that should be pushed for.

Mr. Blanche is not perfect, and he will tell you this. But the choice is not between perfection and Mr. Blanche.