Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is set to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday for his confirmation hearing to lead the Justice Department permanently. Nominated by President Trump following the departure of Pam Bondi, Blanche faces significant scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers and some Republicans regarding his tenure and the department’s recent operational shifts.
According to reports from CBS News, the committee is expected to grill Blanche over allegations of politicized prosecutions, including the indictments of former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. Lawmakers are also likely to question him on the controversial “anti-weaponization” fund, a proposed $1.8 billion initiative that Blanche recently stated has been scrapped following bipartisan backlash. Further concerns have been raised regarding his direct involvement in high-profile cases and his decision to personally interview convicted accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell.
While Republicans maintain a majority in the Senate, the committee’s margin has narrowed following the recent death of Senator Lindsey Graham, a key ally of Blanche. Despite the skepticism from some GOP members, including Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, most observers anticipate a narrow confirmation. Blanche, a former defense attorney for President Trump, has defended his leadership, while critics within the department point to the mass departure of thousands of employees as evidence of institutional instability under his oversight.