News

Senate Confirms Anti-Abortion Extremist for Attorney General

• Press Release

August 8, 2026

2 min. read

Todd Blanche recently said the overturning of Roe v. Wade should be made “permanent in every state”, and committed to preventing patients from getting abortion pills via mail.

08.08.2026 (PRESS RELEASE)—Today, the United States Senate confirmed Todd Blanche to be U.S. Attorney General by a narrow vote of 50 to 49. Blanche, who has served as Acting Attorney General since April, has made numerous comments suggesting he plans to restrict abortion nationwide specifically the mailing of abortion pills.

Comment from Nancy Northup, President and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights:

“Todd Blanche’s confirmation as Attorney General is a red alert for reproductive rights. The Attorney General’s job is to fairly and faithfully enforce the law, but Blanche appears willing to contort it to score wins for political allies. Despite the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the anti-abortion movement is pressing outlandish demands—including using an 1800s morals law to restrict abortion access nationwide, even in states where it is legal. We will fight back against any attempt by Blanche to weaponize the Department of Justice to pursue an anti-abortion agenda.”

Background

In leaked audio from a private call last week, Blanche told several faith groups that the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade should be “permanent in every state” and that he was “putting practices and policies in place” to restrict the availability of abortion pills in states that have banned it.

During his confirmation hearing, Blanche agreed to “carefully review” how the Department of Justice (DOJ) interprets the Comstock Act, a 150-year-old anti-sex law, which was mentioned throughout Project 2025 as a potential way to block the mailing of abortion pills nationwide or to ban abortion altogether. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas also mentioned this antiquated law in a recent dissent, arguing that it is already a “criminal offense to ship mifepristone for use in abortions.”

As attorney general, Blanche is also responsible for enforcing the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which was passed in the 1990’s to protect abortion clinics from harassment from violent protestors. In the leaked audio, Blanche suggested he would weaken the FACE Act so it could no longer be used to protect abortion clinics. Last year, President Trump pardoned 23 convicted violators of the FACE Act. Last week, a pardoned FACE Act violator— who had been caught on camera and convicted by a jury of breaking federal law by blockading the entrance to a Tennessee abortion clinic— received a seven-figure settlement from the government for “abuse of power.”

Learn more about Todd Blanche’s repro “red flags.”

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