FILE PHOTO: Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche testifies before a Senate subcommittee on the Justice Department's proposed 2027 budget, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 19, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo To match Special Report USA-EPSTEIN/ACCUSERS-THREATS (SPECIAL REPORT)
GOP pollster Sarah Longwell warned, President Donald Trump's push to confirm Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche as permanent Attorney General could create a midterm liability for Republicans.
In the latest episode of her podcast, "Illegal News with Sarah Longwell," Longwell explained the Senate's narrow Republican majority means only four GOP votes can defect before confirmation fails.
She speculates at least five senators are likely to vote against Blanche, citing political retribution against Trump as their motive. These are Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Thom Tillis (R-NC), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Bill Cassidy (R-LA).
Other vulnerable Republicans may oppose Blanche, yet they hold sufficient political pressure, she argues.
Longwell also suggested Democratic ads targeting Blanche's role in securing Ghislaine Maxwell a sweetheart deal to a low-security facility could sway vulnerable Republican senators.
The confirmation fight threatens intra-party conflict during the midterm election cycle, potentially harming GOP electoral prospects.
Watch the video below.