Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche faces a contentious Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday amid criticism over his independence from President Trump. His nomination is jeopardized by controversies, including a $1.8 billion settlement fund a federal judge just nullified. Confirmation hinges on undecided Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, with the recent death of supporter Lindsey Graham adding further uncertainty.
Blanche confirmation hearing
- ▪Republican insiders predict Todd Blanche will be confirmed before the August congressional recess
- ▪Todd Blanche's confirmation hearing to become U.S. Attorney General is scheduled for Wednesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee
- ▪The hearing is set for two days, with Todd Blanche testifying on the first day and outside witnesses on the second
Senate Republican swing votes
- ▪Todd Blanche's confirmation depends on the support of all Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee
- ▪Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina have not publicly stated how they will vote on Todd Blanche's confirmation
- ▪Former Attorney General William Barr and the national Fraternal Order of Police have publicly supported Todd Blanche's nomination
- ▪Sen. Thom Tillis is retiring after his term, and Sen. John Cornyn was defeated in his primary election
- ▪Sen. Thom Tillis told CNN that "if there’s even a whiff of a lack of independence, then that could influence my vote."
DOJ controversies under Blanche
- ▪Todd Blanche became acting attorney general in the spring of 2026 following the departure of Pam Bondi
- ▪Todd Blanche has defended the Justice Department's release of files on Jeffrey Epstein, calling any identification of victims "accidental."
- ▪Over 1,200 former Justice Department officials from both parties signed a letter opposing Todd Blanche's confirmation
- ▪As acting attorney general, Todd Blanche has overseen prosecutions of President Trump's perceived adversaries, including former FBI Director James Comey
- ▪Todd Blanche was confirmed as deputy attorney general in March 2025
Trump settlement fund dispute
- ▪A federal judge in Miami nullified a $1.8 billion settlement on July 13, 2026, two days before Todd Blanche's hearing
- ▪The settlement created a $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponization fund' and granted President Trump and his family immunity from IRS audits
- ▪A federal judge in Florida ruled the settlement was an illegitimate attempt to confer immunity on President Trump's affiliates and earmark taxpayer funds
Democratic opposition concerns
- ▪Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse wrote that confirming Todd Blanche would "accelerate the weaponization of the justice system."
- ▪Democrats, led by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, have filed numerous oversight letters and records requests concerning Todd Blanche's conduct
Lindsey Graham's death
- ▪Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican on the Judiciary Committee who had supported Todd Blanche, died the weekend before the hearing
- ▪Sen. Lindsey Graham's death leaves the Senate Judiciary Committee with a potential 11-10 partisan split unless he is replaced
Story comments
Loading comments…