Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is enduring intense scrutiny from the Senate Judiciary Committee during his confirmation hearing. He faces questions on several major topics including the Justice Department’s independence from the White House, the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, and election fraud complaints.
John Yoo, a former Deputy Assistant Attorney General, provides context on the session. He notes the historical significance of attorney general appointments and the executive power at play.
Battles are ongoing as Blanche undergoes another day of questioning. His path to confirmation remains challenging because two key Republican senators have not confirmed their support.
On the first day, Blanche faced inquiries about the Department of Justice’s handling of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. There were questions regarding the now-defunct anti-weaponization fund and his potential willingness to use the DOJ to benefit President Donald Trump.
Sens. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and John Cornyn, R-Texas, are pivotal to Blanche’s success. Neither senator has yet pledged their vote in his favor.
Cornyn has expressed concerns about the $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund. This fund was part of a settlement created under Trump’s administration to aid individuals who claimed government “weaponization.” Currently, the fund is enforceable but not progressing.
“I don’t know what other information is going to be coming in,” Cornyn stated, emphasizing that the hearing is only halfway completed and there’s no pressure to decide imminently.
Blanche was questioned for being Trump’s previous personal defense lawyer. When asked by Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., if he considered himself Trump’s friend, Blanche clarified, “I’m his lawyer — was his lawyer, and now I’m the deputy attorney general.” Cornyn remarked that Blanche is “trying to walk a very difficult line.”
Tillis shares a concern similar to Cornyn’s about the anti-weaponization fund. He is interested in whether Blanche will work to legislate the fund’s permanent dissolution. Blanche responded affirmatively when questioned on this.
“I think that’s a pretty strong indication that he and the administration are OK with [ending the fund],” Tillis commented.
Senate Democrats on the committee, led by Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., are opposing Blanche. Durbin criticized Blanche’s management of the Epstein Files. He emphatically stated, “Anyone who can represent a known pathological liar like Donald Trump can have no integrity.” Durbin feels such representation disqualifies Blanche as attorney general.
Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., acknowledged Blanche’s prosecutorial qualifications but criticized his association with the department’s alleged weaponization. Coons argued against using DOJ resources to follow a retribution agenda.
Alex Miller writes for Fox News Digital and covers the U.S. Senate.