Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche sought to downplay his close relationship with Donald Trump, distance himself from decisions regarding January 6 rioters, and defend his handling of Jeffrey Epstein files during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.
Blanche's Testimony and Key Exchanges
Blanche, who served as Trump's personal attorney before becoming deputy attorney general and later acting attorney general, insisted he does not merely do the president's bidding. "President Trump trusts me to give him counsel," Blanche said. "Counsel does not mean I'm a yes man." He said he would resign if asked to do anything illegal or unethical.
However, Blanche had a notable slip when Senator John Kennedy asked if the two men were friends. "I'm his lawyer," Blanche said, before correcting himself: "Was his lawyer."
Controversial Settlement and Slush Fund
Blanche faced sharp questioning from Senator John Cornyn over a settlement agreement that created a $1.8 billion slush fund to compensate victims of alleged government weaponization. Blanche conceded the term was not specifically defined and later scrapped the fund amid bipartisan backlash. A federal judge excoriated Blanche and other Trump lawyers for the agreement, calling the original lawsuit collusive.
Cornyn, who is undecided on Blanche's nomination, pressed him on whether there was a written agreement ending the settlement. Blanche admitted there was none, meaning Trump could theoretically sue to enforce it in the future.
January 6 and Epstein Issues
Blanche said he was not involved in hiring a former January 6 defendant at the Justice Department, and that vacating sentences of some defendants was required after Trump granted clemency. "I have never said that any sort of violence against law enforcement is appropriate," he said.
On the Epstein files, Blanche acknowledged "mistakes" in redactions that exposed identifying information about survivors, but said only "1 per cent" of files required revisions. Senator Dick Durbin urged Blanche to meet with survivors, but Blanche said he was prohibited from directly meeting them if they had attorneys, though staff would meet them.
Other Controversies
Blanche admitted he authorized the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka last year, but charges were later dismissed. He also faced questions about transferring Ghislaine Maxwell to a minimum-security prison camp, which he defended as necessary for her safety. Senator Cory Booker noted that convicted sex traffickers are not typically placed in such facilities.
Blanche defended FBI Director Kash Patel against reports of drinking and morale issues, saying, "I don't think he has any issues drinking. I don't think there's any issues with morale there."
Opposition and Confirmation Prospects
Blanche faces a razor-thin margin for confirmation, with Republican Senators Cornyn and Thom Tillis critical of the slush fund. Tillis, who has said he won't support Blanche if he backs January 6 rioters, seemed to lean in favor after Blanche said anyone who harmed police on January 6 should be prosecuted. A single "no" vote on the committee could block the nomination.
More than 1,200 former Justice Department employees signed a letter opposing Blanche. Stacey Young of Justice Connection said, "Since his confirmation as deputy attorney general, Todd Blanche has shown time and again that his guiding star is fealty to the president, not the constitution."
