Todd Blanche faces grilling in AG confirmation hearing

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday in the first step of his confirmation process to become the nation’s official Attorney General.

“I’m here today to earn your trust once more,” Blanche said in his opening remarks, speaking to the American people.

Senators on the committee from both parties acknowledged Blanche’s extensive resume, but pressed him on several concerns - including the Department of Justice’s creation of the so-called “anti-weaponization fund.” Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) called for its elimination.

“I want to stick a fork in this turkey of a 1776 fund… can I get your commitment to maybe provide us with some technical assistance on what that language would look like?” Tillis said.

“Absolutely,” Blanche replied.

Blanche’s personal relationship with President Donald Trump also drew scrutiny during the hearing, specifically when it came to where Blanche’s loyalties lie.

“Are you and President Trump friends?” asked Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA).

“I’m his lawyer. Was his lawyer. And now I’m the Deputy Attorney General,” Blanche said.

Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) pushed back.

“The Attorney General’s client is not the president. It’s the American people,” Booker said.

Democrats also pressed Blanche on the Department’s release of the Epstein files, which was criticized for being delayed and for including victims’ sensitive personal information.

Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) offered a broader rebuke of the DOJ’s recent direction.

“Overall, this is not what I believe the American people expect or deserve from the Department of Justice,” Coons said.

Meanwhile, Republican senators mostly offered support for Blanche and defended the Trump administration’s record at the DOJ. Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL) cited crime statistics.

“When you’re looking at violent crime arrests, we’re up 184%. This is real results,” Britt said.

The GOP’s margin in the committee is now razor-thin following the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, leaving Republicans with only one vote to spare. If the nomination clears committee, Blanche will still require approval from the full Senate to be confirmed.