US Senate grills Todd Blanche over DOJ fund, Epstein files and department independence at attorney general confirmation hearing
Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche testified before the US Senate Judiciary Committee on July 15 for his formal confirmation hearing, facing hours of pointed questioning on a Justice Department discretionary fund, withheld Jeffrey Epstein investigation files, and whether the department has operated independently of President Donald Trump
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Summary
US Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche appeared before the US Senate Judiciary Committee on July 15 seeking permanent confirmation as the country's top law enforcement official. Blanche, who previously served as one of Donald Trump's criminal defense lawyers, faced questioning on a Justice Department discretionary fund senators said had been used to reward loyalists, the administration's refusal to release Jeffrey Epstein investigation files, and whether the department operates independently of the White House. Blanche committed to reviewing both the fund and the files. His confirmation path requires unanimous Republican committee support.
Why it matters
The hearing is a public test of whether the US Justice Department functions independently of White House political direction. Blanche's role as Trump's former personal attorney makes the independence question unusually sharp for a sitting attorney general nominee.
What to watch
- Whether all Republican senators on the US Senate Judiciary Committee back Blanche after the hearing
- Any defection tied to the Epstein files or DOJ fund disclosures
- Timeline for a full US Senate floor vote