NYC Bar Association urges Senate to reject acting Attorney General Todd Blanche nomination

The New York City Bar Association on Monday sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee opposing the nomination of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, telling senators that it believes he is unfit to lead the Justice Department. The letter was addressed to members of the panel, including Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Sen. Dick Durbin of New York.

The bar association’s letter argues that Blanche has taken actions the group says make him unfit to lead an ethical and impartial federal law enforcement agency. The organization did not detail in the available report how many actions it cited or which specific steps it considered most consequential.

The nomination is being considered in the Senate as senators weigh whether to confirm Blanche to serve in the Justice Department’s top law enforcement role. The bar association said its position reflects its view of the ethical and professional standards expected of the attorney general.

The opposition comes as the Senate Judiciary Committee prepares to handle nominations for executive branch posts that require advice and consent. Grassley and Durbin, as senior leaders in the committee, are among those receiving the bar association’s correspondence.

While the New York City Bar Association’s letter reflects concerns about ethical leadership, Blanche’s nomination remains subject to the Senate’s process, including any committee review and floor consideration. The report does not indicate at this time that the bar association’s concerns have changed any scheduled procedural steps.

The nomination’s review is taking place against a backdrop in which legal advocacy groups, professional organizations, and bar associations often submit assessments of nominees’ conduct and suitability, which can become part of the public record during confirmation proceedings.