Acting AG Todd Blanche Faces Tough Questions at Confirmation Hearing

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is currently under significant scrutiny from the Senate Judiciary Committee in his confirmation hearing. Senators are pressing him on topics including the independence of the Justice Department from the White House, the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, and allegations regarding election fraud. Former Assistant Attorney General John Yoo has provided insights into the heated proceedings, emphasizing the historical backdrop of the attorney general’s role and executive power.

Blanche is experiencing a second day of challenging inquiries from the Senate, with his confirmation still in a precarious position as two prominent Republicans remain undecided about their support. The initial day of hearings was packed with questions focusing on how the Department of Justice managed numerous documents associated with the late Jeffrey Epstein, including the now-abandoned initiative known as the Epstein Files. There were also inquiries about whether Blanche intends to steer the department in a way that could be perceived as retaliating against former President Donald Trump.

Key Republicans on the committee, Senators Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas), are crucial to Blanche’s potential confirmation, but neither has committed to backing him yet.

While Cornyn has voiced concerns about a $1.8 billion anti-disarmament fund linked to a settlement involving Trump and could impact Blanche’s prospects, Blanche has acknowledged the fund’s continued “legally enforceable” status yet refrained from indicating his voting intentions.

“We don’t know what further information might surface,” Cornyn noted. “The hearing is only halfway through, so I don’t have to decide right now, and I haven’t.”

Throughout the hearing, Blanche faced critique for his previous role as Trump’s personal attorney. He swiftly clarified, when questioned by Senator John Kennedy (R-La.), that he viewed himself more as the legal counsel than a friend to the president.

“I was his attorney, I’m now the deputy attorney general,” Blanche stated, attempting to clarify his position.

When asked about this slip-up, Cornyn remarked, “I think he’s trying to navigate a difficult path.”

Concerns expressed by Tillis echoes those of Cornyn, especially about the anti-weaponization fund’s status. While Tillis has not stated whether he will support Blanche, he did note that Blanche agreed to work on legislation aimed at permanently abolishing the fund.

Meanwhile, Senate Democrats are ramping up their opposition to Blanche. The leading Democrat on the committee, Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), criticized Blanche for how he managed the Epstein file releases and questioned if he’s willing to meet with Epstein survivors. Durbin emphasized that representing someone like Trump compromises integrity, labeling him a habitual liar unfit to have such a position.

Senator Chris Coons from Delaware recognized that while Blanche is “qualified as a former prosecutor,” he should have known better than to support perceived weaponization of the Justice Department, which he argues has become a tool to execute Trump’s retaliatory agenda rather than a means to uphold justice.