Key Takeaways
- Susan Collins opposes Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general, criticizing his endorsement of a Trump-IRS agreement.
- Max Burns questions Collins’ late objections and her lack of support for restoring DOJ independence.
- Polls show Collins trailing Democratic challenger Troy Jackson, with a majority disapproving of her performance.
- Despite positioning as an integrity champion, Collins supported Trump’s agenda nearly 95% of the time.
- The Senate confirmed Blanche’s nomination with a vote of 52 to 46.
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Susan Collins is back to her old tricks. Voters should see right through them, according to Max Burns in an article published on the MSNOW website.
After weeks of silence, Maine Senator Susan Collins announced on Wednesday that she would oppose Todd Blanche’s nomination for the next attorney general. In a statement posted on X, Collins criticized the acting attorney general. She said he was overseeing actions that have further undermined the independence of the Justice Department.
According to Max Burns, Collins had particular concerns about Blanche’s endorsement of a favorable agreement between President Donald Trump and the IRS. This agreement protected the President, his sons, and the family business from IRS audits. Additionally, Susan Collins also took issue with Blanche’s recent conversation with religious leaders. In that conversation, he pledged to intensify the Republican efforts against abortion rights.
Burns, highlighted that Collins has either ignored or actively blocked attempts by Democrats to restore trust and independence at the DOJ.
Max Burns stated that while Collins’ objections may seem valid on their own, her acknowledgment that the Department of Justice has become a partisan tool in Trump’s hands raises difficult questions. She cannot address those questions. Most importantly, if Susan Collins truly believes what she is saying, why is she only speaking out now? Additionally, why has she opposed Democratic efforts to restore accountability and independence to the DOJ?
Susan Collins is behind in the polls in Maine
To understand Collins’ effort to brand herself as a champion of public integrity against Blanche, one only needs to look at the latest Maine Senate polling.
A recent University of New Hampshire poll found Collins trailing her Democratic challenger, Troy Jackson, with a score of 49% to 46%. Furthermore, a majority of voters disapprove of Susans Collins’ job performance.
Despite positioning herself as a check on Trump’s corruption, public voting data shows that she supported the MAGA agenda nearly 95% of the time. Therefore, it’s no surprise that Trump endorsed Susan Collins last month.
Collins’ opposition to Blanche’s confirmation allows her to appear as though she is taking a stand against a president who lost her state in all three of his presidential campaigns. Meanwhile, she avoids any meaningful actions to support her stance.
The Senate confirmed Blanche on Friday with a vote of 52 to 46.