Todd Blanche, President Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. attorney general, faced hours of questioning before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Lawmakers scrutinized his leadership of the Department of Justice (DOJ) during the hearing.
Although Blanche currently serves as acting attorney general after previously being confirmed as deputy attorney general, his nomination to permanently lead the department faces significant political hurdles.
Here are the biggest moments from the hearing.
1. Questions Persist Over the Anti-Weaponization Fund
One of the hearing’s central topics was the controversial $1.776 billion anti-weaponization fund. The fund originated from a settlement involving President Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Blanche repeatedly stated that the fund is effectively dead and that no money will be distributed.
However, several senators questioned whether the settlement legally remains enforceable. This was because portions of the agreement—including protections related to past IRS audits involving Trump, his family, and his businesses—remain in effect.
Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis pressed Blanche on whether Congress should formally eliminate the fund through legislation.
Blanche indicated the Department of Justice would support such a move.
2. Independence from President Trump Remains Under Scrutiny
Throughout the hearing, Democratic senators questioned whether Blanche could remain independent after previously serving as President Trump’s personal attorney.
Before joining the Justice Department, Blanche represented Trump in several high-profile criminal cases. These included the classified documents investigation and the federal election interference case.
During one exchange, Blanche remarked:
“I’m his lawyer—was his lawyer. And now I’m the deputy attorney general.”
The comment reinforced concerns among some lawmakers about whether personal loyalty could influence decisions at the Justice Department.
Blanche defended his record by highlighting the department’s efforts to combat violent crime, drug trafficking, organized crime, and fraud. Meanwhile, he emphasized that the DOJ follows the law regardless of political considerations.
He also noted that, although he did not personally celebrate President Trump’s pardons of January 6 defendants, the department was legally required to dismiss pending prosecutions once those pardons were issued.
3. Epstein Files Continue to Generate Bipartisan Criticism
The Justice Department’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation remained another major focus.
Lawmakers questioned Blanche about delayed document releases, failures to properly redact victims’ identities, and the transfer of Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell to a lower-security federal prison.
Blanche defended the department’s transparency efforts, arguing that the current administration has released more information than previous administrations.
However, Democratic senators challenged that claim. They argued that congressional action—not voluntary DOJ disclosure—ultimately forced many records to become public.
Blanche accepted responsibility for errors involving improperly redacted documents. He said the department acted quickly to correct them once they were discovered.
He also indicated that the DOJ remains willing to engage with Epstein’s victims. However, disagreement arose over whether he should personally meet with them.
What’s Next?
Blanche’s nomination now advances to the next stage of the Senate confirmation process.
Because Republicans hold only a narrow margin, securing support from nearly every Republican senator could prove essential. This support could be important if his nomination is to move forward.
The hearing demonstrated that concerns about DOJ independence, accountability, and transparency are likely to remain central issues. These concerns will likely continue as senators continue evaluating his confirmation.
