Senate Judiciary Committee Weighs Todd Blanche Nomination for Attorney General

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche faces a narrow path to confirmation as the Senate Judiciary Committee evaluates his nomination to lead the Justice Department permanently. Following the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), the committee’s Republican majority has thinned, placing significant pressure on individual GOP members to decide whether to support Blanche’s appointment. A confirmation vote is expected in approximately two weeks.

Confirmation Challenges and Committee Dynamics

The committee is currently deadlocked in a political environment where every vote carries substantial weight. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) stated during the hearing that he is still “weighing” his support for the nominee. Because Republicans hold only a one-seat majority, a single defection could block the nomination unless a replacement for the late Sen. Graham is seated before the final vote. If the committee results in a tie, the nomination may advance to the Senate floor, though the process would face significant delays.

Blanche’s tenure as acting attorney general began in April after his predecessor, Pam Bondi, was fired by Trump. While he can continue to serve in an acting capacity without Senate confirmation, the administration would be unable to appoint a permanent replacement for his former role as deputy attorney general, a position he was confirmed as in March 2025.

Policy Debates and Departmental Controversies

During Wednesday’s hearing, senators questioned Blanche on several contentious Justice Department actions. A primary point of focus was a $1.8-billion “anti-weaponization” fund linked to a settlement agreement between the president and the Internal Revenue Service. While Blanche testified that the fund is “dead,” he acknowledged that the underlying settlement agreement remains technically active. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) expressed lingering concerns regarding the status of the agreement, though Blanche declined to discuss specific communications he had with the president regarding the matter.

Blanche also addressed the release of files concerning the late Jeffrey Epstein. He defended the department’s handling of the records, noting that staff immediately removed victim names that had been improperly redacted. When pressed by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) on whether he would meet with 10 Epstein victims who attended the hearing, Blanche stated he could not meet with them directly due to their representation by counsel, though he offered to have a staffer facilitate the meeting.

Professional Background and Independence

Blanche, 51, spent 12 years as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York before moving to private practice. In 2023, he left the firm Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft and went independent after other partners expressed concern when he took Trump on as a client. This history prompted intense questioning from Democrats regarding his independence.

Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) questioned whether Blanche’s prior defense of the president created a conflict of interest. In response, Blanche maintained that he remains the same prosecutor he was during his time in New York. The hearing featured several heated exchanges, including a moment where Blanche labeled a question from Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) regarding FBI Director Kash Patel as “extraordinarily obnoxious.”

Key Takeaways

• Confirmation Status: Blanche requires full Republican support to advance through the committee following the vacancy left by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham.
• IRS Settlement: Blanche confirmed that the $1.8-billion “anti-weaponization” fund is inactive, though the broader IRS settlement agreement remains technically in place.
• Departmental Defense: The nominee defended the Justice Department’s record on near record-low murder rates and its ongoing review of the Epstein files for potential prosecutions.
• Presidential Support: President Trump has publicly endorsed Blanche’s nomination, characterizing his performance as “phenomenal” via Truth Social.

While some Republican senators, such as Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), praised Blanche’s performance during the hearing despite policy disagreements, the nominee’s ultimate confirmation remains uncertain. The committee is expected to move toward a final vote within the next two weeks.