Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is facing a Senate confirmation hearing where he will confront questions about his tenure leading the Justice Department, a period marked by accelerated investigations into perceived adversaries of President Donald Trump and the promotion of a fund intended to compensate the president's allies.
Blanche, who has served as the interim head of the Justice Department since April, is seeking confirmation to serve out the remainder of Trump's term. His nomination requires the support of every Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, with some lawmakers expressing reservations.
During the hearing, Blanche is expected to state that his team is "restoring trust" in the Justice Department, according to prepared remarks. This statement addresses concerns raised by Democrats who allege the department has been weaponized under his leadership.
Sen. Dick Durbin, the top Democrat on the committee, has criticized actions taken by the Justice Department on Blanche's watch. These include the creation of a $1.8 billion fund to compensate allies of the president, the dismissal of Justice Department employees deemed not loyal to Trump, and the handling of investigative files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Durbin accused Blanche of continuing to act as Trump's personal attorney, pursuing investigations against the president's opponents while taking steps to aid his allies. "In less than 18 months at the Department of Justice, you’ve shown you’re still President Trump’s personal attorney," Durbin stated.
In contrast, Sen. Ashley Moody reminded the committee of Blanche's career trajectory, noting he began as a paralegal at the Department of Justice and later prosecuted drug traffickers and violent criminals as part of the Southern District of New York. She highlighted awards and commendations he received during his time there.
Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn, both Republicans, have not yet committed to supporting Blanche. They are expected to question him regarding a settlement that reportedly included protections for Trump and his family from tax audits, a separate concern from the fund for compensating individuals who feel persecuted by the justice system.
Blanche's opening statement is also expected to focus on the Trump administration's efforts to combat violent crime, interdict illicit drugs, prosecute cartels, and prosecute fraud targeting taxpayers. The Justice Department under Trump has prioritized immigration enforcement and created a new division to address fraud in taxpayer-funded programs.