Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche returned to the Senate for a second day of questioning as two Republican senators weigh whether to back his confirmation amid sharp focus on the so-called Epstein files, a disputed anti-weaponization fund, and his prior work for former President Trump.
The hearing has centered on how the Justice Department handled millions of documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein, the status of a nearly $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund, and whether Blanche would run the DOJ as a fair enforcer of the law or as a political tool. Republicans on the committee insist their hesitation is about facts and long-term policy, not a reflexive rejection of the nominee.
Sen. John Cornyn has flagged the anti-weaponization fund and the settlement that underpins it as a major concern, and he has not committed to a yes vote. “Well, I don’t know what other information’s gonna be coming in,” Cornyn said. “The hearing is not even halfway done. And so, you know, I don’t have to make a decision now, so I’m not.”
Blanche faced heat over his past role as President Trump’s personal defense attorney, a point Democrats used to question his impartiality. He corrected his language under questioning and made clear where his current duties would lie. “I’m his lawyer — was his lawyer, and now I’m the deputy attorney general,” Blanche said.
Cornyn and other senators noted Blanche’s effort to thread a needle between past work and present responsibilities. “I think he’s trying to walk the line.” Cornyn added, “I think he’s trying to walk a very difficult line,” which captures the awkward position of anyone moving from private defense work to supervising the Justice Department.
Sen. Thom Tillis echoed Cornyn’s worries about the fund and pressed Blanche about whether it truly is dead. When asked if he would work on legislation to permanently end the program, Blanche answered directly, “Yes.” That pledge is the sort of concrete step Republicans say matters more than partisan labels.
“I think that’s a pretty strong indication that he and the administration are OK with [it],” Tillis said. “Does anybody really believe that the nominee for attorney general would answer that question if he didn’t think that he had the support of the president to end this?” Those lines reflect a common Republican demand for clear commitments on policy before a confirmation vote.
Democrats on the committee have been unrelenting, pressing Blanche about the release of the Epstein-related documents and asking if he would meet with survivors. “Anyone who can represent a known pathological liar like Donald Trump can have no integrity,” Durbin said. “You can’t have integrity if you represent Donald Trump, because he is such an inveterate liar. And that person, of course, should never, never, never be attorney general.”
Other Democrats acknowledged Blanche’s prosecutorial background while criticizing his willingness to tolerate what they call weaponization of the Justice Department. Sen. Chris Coons said Blanche was “qualified … as someone who has been a prosecutor.” “But given his legal experience, he should have known better than to be willing to tolerate or support the weaponization of the department,” Coons said. “Using it as a tool not to follow the facts and the law, to pursue justice, but to carry out a retribution agenda by President Trump.”
Republicans argue the committee is doing its job by drilling into these issues and that Blanche’s answers show a nominee willing to rein in problematic policies and restore ordinary, apolitical law enforcement. The Senate Republican split over his confirmation underscores how confirmation fights now hinge on specific policy assurances rather than simple party loyalty, and lawmakers in both parties say more testimony and documents will drive their final choices.
Darnell Thompkins is a Canadian-born American and conservative opinion writer who brings a unique perspective to political and cultural discussions. Passionate about traditional values and individual freedoms, Darnell’s commentary reflects his commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue. When he’s not writing, he enjoys watching hockey and celebrating the sport that connects his Canadian roots with his American journey.