Blanche Defends Pirro, Says Trump Can Fire U.S. Attorney at Any Time as Senate Vote Nears
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Aug 5
Blanche Defends Pirro, Says Trump Can Fire U.S. Attorney at Any Time as Senate Vote Nears
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Aug 5
Summary
Todd Blanche said Jeanine Pirro was “doing a great job” but stressed Wednesday that President Trump can fire the Washington U.S. attorney whenever he chooses.
The remarks followed Pirro’s decision to drop a vandalism case tied to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and her accusation that Interior Secretary Doug Burgum misled Trump about the damage.
Trump had said late Tuesday he had not “made a determination” on whether Pirro’s job was safe, leaving her status uncertain despite Blanche’s public defense.
Blanche also said he did not approve or disapprove of U.S. attorneys’ decisions in general and declined to say what Justice Department leaders knew about the case.
The episode lands days before a possible Saturday Senate confirmation vote on Blanche’s nomination to lead the Justice Department permanently.