LINE IN THE SAND

Jeff Flake Says He’ll Block Trump’s Judicial Nominees Until Mueller Bill Gets a Vote

The Arizona senator and Trump critic said the president has the Mueller probe “in his sights.”

Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) announced on Wednesday that he would block President Donald Trump’s judicial nominees until the Senate votes on legislation aimed at protecting special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation, saying the president now has the probe “in his sights.” Flake’s decision came after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) objected to Flake’s motion to advance the bill on the Senate floor. Flake, who joined forces with Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) on the effort, said Trump’s removal of Jeff Sessions and his appointment of Matthew Whitaker as acting attorney general means the Mueller investigation is now in peril. The senators said they would continue to try to advance the legislation until McConnell brings it up for a vote. Republicans have a narrow majority on the judiciary committee, so it is unlikely that any judicial nominees will advance out of the committee if Flake votes against them.