Todd Blanche’s loyalty to Trump questioned in Senate confirmation hearing | Donald Trump News
Senate Panel Reviews Todd Blanche’s Nomination as Attorney General
A United States Senate committee has commenced confirmation hearings for interim Attorney General Todd Blanche as he seeks to permanently lead the Department of Justice (DOJ). The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to conduct two days of questioning on Wednesday and Thursday.
The hearings are heavily focused on Blanche’s association with former President Donald Trump and concerns regarding his commitment to maintaining the DOJ’s independence. In his opening statement, Blanche sought to address these concerns by asserting his intention to rectify previous issues within the department.
“We are restoring American trust,” Blanche stated.
Before his current role, Blanche served as Trump’s personal attorney, representing him in legal matters, including a New York state trial that culminated in Trump’s conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records. He was appointed deputy attorney general in March 2025. Following Pam Bondi’s resignation in April, he was named acting attorney general.
This round of questioning is expected to be more rigorous than prior sessions. Blanche may face inquiries regarding his involvement in the prosecution of Trump’s political adversaries, including James Comey, the former FBI director. Additionally, he oversaw a controversial civil settlement involving a lawsuit filed by Trump against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which provided protection for Trump and his family from future tax investigations.
Blanche’s tenure has also included significant oversight of the DOJ’s handling of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, amid scrutiny over potential attempts to protect influential individuals through excessive redactions in public documents. Critics have pointed to Trump’s previous association with Epstein as particularly troubling.
During his opening remarks, Blanche minimized the focus on his relationship with Trump, expressing gratitude for the former president’s support. He emphasized positive outcomes associated with DOJ efforts, citing declining violent crime rates in the U.S. and actions taken against drug cartels.
“I’m proud of what we’ve done to help American families see safer streets,” he said. “None of this is a Republican or Democrat issue.”
Blanche also echoed Trump’s claims that the DOJ was previously “weaponized” against Trump and his allies, stating, “In recent years, we watched the Justice Department turn against many of you and a former president, and it damaged the public’s faith in justice. We are fixing that.”
The confirmation process has emerged as a referendum on the DOJ’s actions under Trump, with skepticism surrounding the department’s political neutrality. Legal experts suggest that even without formal confirmation, Trump could retain Blanche in an acting capacity for an extended period.
Blanche’s confirmation remains uncertain, particularly following the death of Senator Lindsey Graham. Only one Republican committee member would need to oppose the nomination to jeopardize the process. Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn are viewed as potential defectors.
Cornyn expressed strong concern over the civil settlement between Trump and the IRS, which established a nearly $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” for perceived victims of political prosecutions. Blanche has claimed that this fund is no longer active, a statement he reiterated during the hearing.
“I’m under oath today, and I’ve said it’s dead repeatedly,” Blanche stated, responding to inquiries.
On Tuesday, a federal judge voided the settlement, citing potential misconduct involving Blanche and others in furthering the president’s interests. Cornyn noted that Trump’s officials had not formally documented any intention to abandon the settlement.
Senator Richard Durbin, a Democrat, criticized Blanche for prioritizing his loyalty to Trump, referencing statements Blanche made about his affection for Trump.
“In less than 18 months at the Department of Justice, you’ve shown you’re still President Trump’s personal attorney,” Durbin remarked, highlighting a previous statement where Blanche expressed unwavering support for Trump.
