Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche faced sharp criticism following a perceived "Freudian slip" during his Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday. When pressed by Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) about his relationship with former President Donald Trump, Blanche responded, "I’m his lawyer — was his lawyer, and now I’m the deputy attorney general."
Blanche, who previously led Donald Trump's legal defense team in his hush-money criminal trial, quickly corrected himself. However, the moment was captured and widely shared, drawing immediate reactions. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) described the exchange on X as "an all-time Freudian slip and completely disqualifying."
Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) also voiced concerns, accusing Blanche of acting as if he were still Trump's personal attorney during the hearing. Blanche's tenure as acting attorney general has previously raised concerns among some senators regarding his priorities. He has been criticized for the pace of releasing Jeffrey Epstein-related files and for his role in a settlement with the IRS concerning Trump's tax returns, which included provisions that would prevent future audits of the former president and his family.
In a past statement, Blanche indicated his loyalty to Trump, saying, "If Trump chooses to nominate somebody else and asks me to go do something else, I will say, 'Thank you very much. I love you, sir.'" The recent exchange has reignited questions about his independence and impartiality in his current role.