Todd Blanche’s Attorney-General Confirmation Faces Gun-Industry Conflict Questions

Todd Blanche, a senior Justice Department official, is slated for a Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday to become attorney general. Senators are scrutinizing his familial ties to Check-Mate Industries—a manufacturer of firearm magazines founded by his father-in-law, with his mother-in-law serving as chairman and chief executive. Critics argue the connection could bias policy decisions, especially as the Justice Department has recently pursued extensive rollbacks of federal firearms regulations.

New York Times

Since assuming the acting attorney-general post after Pam Bondi, Blanche has promoted the administration’s “sea change” of gun-policy rollbacks. In an April interview at the National Rifle Association’s annual convention, he highlighted his commitment to President Trump’s directive to expand gun rights and described the department’s agenda as a “sea change” of rollbacks to gun regulations. Over the past months, the Justice Department announced more than 30 proposed rules that would significantly alter federal firearms regulations, changes that could benefit Check-Mate Industries and the broader firearms industry.

New York Times

Senator Adam B. Schiff (D-CA) wrote to Blanche, asserting that the department’s recent rulemaking “would make significant and sweeping changes to federal firearms regulations — changes from which Check-Mate Industries and the broader firearms industry stand to benefit.” The Justice Department declined to comment on inquiries about Blanche’s relationship with Check-Mate Industries.

New York Times

Democratic lawmakers and gun-control advocates contend that Blanche’s industry ties represent a serious conflict of interest, potentially compromising the Justice Department’s impartial enforcement of gun laws. They warn that the pending rollbacks could undermine decades of regulatory progress aimed at reducing gun violence.

New York Times

• “In recent months, the department has announced over 30 rules that would make significant and sweeping changes to federal firearms regulations — changes from which Check-Mate Industries and the broader firearms industry stand to benefit,” — Senator Adam B. Schiff, Democrat of California

New York Times

These statements encapsulate the central tension between Blanche’s industry connections and the Justice Department’s aggressive gun-policy agenda as his confirmation proceeds.

New York Times