Presidents have the constitutional right to set law enforcement priorities, including prosecutorial decisions by the Department of Justice. But the Constitution also gives Congress several leverage points to check that power, including the power to confirm nominees for attorney general.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has an established record, first as deputy attorney general and now as acting attorney general, of abetting President Donald Trump’s worst instincts when it comes to using the power of the Justice Department to harass and intimidate political opponents while enriching his allies. The Senate has no obligation to rubber-stamp a political enforcer as Trump’s pick for the nation’s top law enforcement post. Indeed, it is senators’ duty to insist on a better candidate with a record of saying no to Trump when prudence and the law require it.