I condemn language like that.

I condemn language like that. It's not to say that – let me just stop. The – the – the Muslims that I typically work with are doctors working in a remote area of Louisiana who otherwise would not have a physician unless Dr. Mohammed…

I’ll be criticized for this vote.

This is not the time to be political. It is the time to be a good senator.

So we're trying to get something done. We were trying to set up a process by which the Senate would invite the House to join and present bills that could be a solution.

All things considered, I will vote for Mr. Blanche.

I am reluctant to impede the department's work fighting violent crime.

Mr. Blanche showed poor judgment in approving the anti-weaponization slush fund and exempting the president from IRS audits.

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

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

I have not approached it that way.

I am told that Senate confirmation is important in interactions with the president, with others in the Cabinet and is important to DOJ employees in general. Being Senate-confirmed gives him greater leverage to push for things that should…

I have a history with Mr. Trump. But that history does not matter one bit.

I will vote for Mr Blanche. Mr Blanche is not perfect, and he will tell you this, but the choice is not between perfection and Mr Blanche; it is between Mr Blanche and another acting attorney general who may not run the department…

that history does not matter one bit.

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

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

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.

I think it is a reality.

I will vote for Mr. Blanche. I'll be criticized for this vote. What's new? But the people of Louisiana can be assured that I worked hard to understand the issue and to make the right decision.

I will be criticized for this vote

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.

I'll be criticized for this vote. What's new?

This is the rationale for having a Senate confirmed attorney general with more leverage to push back

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