The Senate Judiciary Committee convened on July 15 to scrutinize Todd Blanche, President Trump’s nominee for attorney general. Blanche, currently serving as acting attorney general, faced a barrage of questions from senators concerned about his tenure and the Justice Department’s recent actions.
The hearing focused on two major issues: the controversial anti-weaponization fund and the department’s handling of the Epstein case. Blanche’s responses and the senators’ reactions provided a glimpse into the challenges he may face if confirmed.
The Anti-Weaponization Fund: A Contentious Issue
The anti-weaponization fund initially established as part of a settlement with Trump to end his lawsuit against the IRS, has been a point of contention. The fund, which was supposed to compensate individuals allegedly targeted by the U.S. government, faced bipartisan pushback and was subsequently declared dead by Blanche.
However, the settlement’s provisions protecting Trump and his family from IRS audits of past tax returns remain in place. A federal judge criticized the DOJ over the settlement, calling it an attempt to legitimize the earmarking of billions of dollars from American taxpayers.
During the hearing, Blanche maintained that he did not participate directly in the negotiations but engaged in conversations about settling the IRS lawsuit. Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas scrutinized the agreement, noting that Trump had not agreed in writing to officially kill the fund. Blanche acknowledged that Trump’s attorneys could potentially argue that the DOJ breached the contract by not moving forward with the fund.
Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina suggested that Congress should codify the end of the anti-weaponization fund into law. Blanche indicated that the DOJ could support such a move. Tillis, who appeared hesitant before the hearing, praised Blanche’s performance, stating, “You’ve done a great job today.”
Blanche’s Relationship with Trump Under Examination
Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana asked Blanche about his relationship with President Trump, to which Blanche responded, “I’m his lawyer — was his lawyer. And now I’m the deputy attorney general.” This response highlighted Blanche’s past role as Trump’s personal attorney, representing the president in multiple criminal cases.
Democrats expressed concerns that Blanche’s personal relationship with Trump affects his ability to serve the American people. The IRS lawsuit settlement and attempts to pursue prosecutions against political foes like former FBI director James Comey further fueled these concerns.
Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey questioned Blanche’s ethics, stating, “This casts a shadow over any ideas of independence.” Blanche defended his track record at the department, highlighting efforts to combat violent crime, fight fraud, and arrest drug cartels, child abusers, and gang members. He also distanced himself from Trump’s actions, including issuing pardons for Jan. 6 rioters.
The Epstein Case: A Lingering Shadow
The DOJ’s handling of the Epstein case continued to haunt Blanche during the hearing. Victims of the convicted sex offender were present, adding emotional weight to the proceedings. The DOJ faced criticism for not releasing all documents related to Epstein, missing deadlines, and failing to properly redact victims’ private information.
Blanche pushed back against assertions of a lack of transparency, stating, “The Biden administration did nothing to be transparent about the Epstein case. We have been extraordinarily transparent in not only producing the records but letting unredacted versions be available to anybody in this body.”
Sen. Dick Durbin, the committee’s ranking member, challenged Blanche’s claim, noting that a bipartisan Congress had to pass a law to force the administration’s hand to release the documents. Durbin pushed Blanche to agree to meet with 10 of Epstein’s victims within 30 days. Blanche wavered, stating that the women could meet with a staffer working on those cases, as he couldn’t meet with them because they’re represented by counsel.
Blanche ultimately agreed that the DOJ had always been open to meeting with the victims and took responsibility for the “mistakes that were made” related to the failed redactions within the files. He emphasized that the DOJ immediately addressed any improperly redacted information.
