WASHINGTON — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche privately told anti-abortion supporters that the Justice Department aimed to make the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization ruling "permanent in every single state." The remarks were made during a recorded call that has since been posted publicly.
Blanche described a strategy in which the Justice Department would work "hand in hand" with federal health agencies and the White House to implement nationwide abortion restrictions, building on the Supreme Court's 2022 ruling.
The pledge comes as Blanche's nomination to serve as confirmed attorney general gains momentum in the Senate. His confirmation would give him authority to direct federal enforcement policy across the country.
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. cited Blanche's statement during the confirmation process. "A vote to confirm Todd Blanche is a vote 'so that the Dobbs decision becomes permanent in every single state,'" Murray said on X.
The Dobbs decision, issued in June 2022, overturned Roe v. Wade, eliminating the constitutional right to abortion and returning authority to individual states to regulate or ban the procedure. Blanche's stated goal would push that dynamic toward federal enforcement of restrictions.
President Trump's administration has consistently backed anti-abortion positions. Blanche's commitment aligns with that stance and signals a clear policy direction should he be confirmed as the nation's top law enforcement officer.
A confirmed Attorney General Blanche could direct the Justice Department to challenge state-level abortion protections or issue federal guidelines affecting healthcare providers—moves that would bypass state legislatures and rely instead on executive branch legal interpretations.
Despite the controversy, Blanche's nomination faces limited resistance in the Senate. Some Republican senators have acknowledged concerns but plan to vote for his confirmation, prioritizing party unity.
The commitment to make Dobbs "permanent in every single state" sets up a direct confrontation with states that have maintained or expanded abortion access since 2022 and signals a protracted legal and political battle over reproductive rights.
