Blanche Defends DOJ Lawsuit Targeting Certification of Alaska Senate Race if Sullivan Loses

Attorney General Todd Blanche on Sunday defended the Justice Department's lawsuit seeking to block Alaska from certifying its U.S. Senate election if Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan loses, speaking on CNN's "State of the Union" and CBS's "Face the Nation." The department filed the suit October 22 in U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska. It argues that voter confusion over Daniel J. Sullivan, a retired teacher also on the ranked-choice ballot, could help Democrat Mary Peltola, who is narrowly ahead in polls, win the November 3 election. Blanche said President Donald Trump is not trying to take over a state election and that he wants Alaska's courts able to remedy any unjust result. Trump said Friday in Florida that he told the department to file. Blanche said he will never discuss his communications with the president. Critics from both parties have criticized the suit.

Right-leaning outlets Daily Caller and Washington Examiner centered on Blanche's handling of questions. The Daily Caller led with him cutting off CNN's Dana Bash when she raised a possible repeat of January 6, quoting his "Oh, stop it" retort. The Examiner led with his refusal to say whether Trump ordered the filing, quoting his line that he never discusses communications with the president and that Trump has been open about his Alaska concerns. Left-leaning MS NOW and NPR led with Blanche defending the suit. MS NOW's headline says he "doubles down" and quotes a "could be a crime" remark, and its excerpt quotes his denial of a takeover. NPR's headline stresses that the suit would block results if a Republican loses. Both sides agree on the Sunday interviews and the defense of the suit. Al Jazeera adds the bipartisan criticism and accusations that the administration is laying groundwork to block a Democratic win.