u003cp class=u0022isSelectedEndu0022u003eIn a new opinion article for MS NOW, Duncan Levin examines the Senate confirmation battle over Todd Blanche and argues that the dispute extends far beyond a conventional personnel decision. Because Blanche already leads the Department of Justice as acting attorney general, the central question is whether the Senate will confer institutional legitimacy on the Department’s conduct under his leadership.u003c/pu003ernDrawing on his experience as a former federal prosecutor, Levin argues that the legitimacy of federal law enforcement depends on investigative and charging decisions beginning with evidence and law—not presidential demands, political grievances, or a list of perceived allies and enemies. The article contends that, even if the Senate cannot immediately prevent Blanche from remaining in control of the Department, it can still refuse to endorse the transformation of federal law enforcement into an instrument of presidential protection and retaliation.rnrnClick u003ca href=u0022https://www.ms.now/opinion/todd-blanche-senate-confirmation-standoff-doj-abuseu0022u003ehereu003c/au003e for the full article.
