Tillis leaves door open to not backing Blanche nomination over Jan. 6 appeals

Republican Sen. Thom Tillis (N.C.) on Sunday left the door open to not backing acting Attorney General Todd Blanche if he is nominated to the official post over his position on the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

Last month, the Department of Justice (DOJ) under Blanche filed a motion to vacate the seditious conspiracy convictions of members of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys groups that took part in the attack. 

In a court filing, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro and assistant U.S. attorneys Chrisellen Kolb and Daniel Lenerz said the decision was made “in the interests of justice.”

On his first day back in office in 2025, President Trump commuted the sentences of the defendants, Stewart Rhodes, Kelly Meggs, Kenneth Harrelson and Jessica Watkins.

While Tillis said on CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday that he has had positive “interactions” with Blanche, his opposition to leniency for those who committed violent actions........

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