The Senate Judiciary Committee is set to hold a two-day confirmation hearing on July 15-16 for Todd Blanche, President Donald Trump’s nominee to serve as U.S. Attorney General. Blanche, the Acting Attorney General and a former Trump defense lawyer, is expected to face questions about his independence and about a controversial settlement tied to an “anti-weaponization” fund.
The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold confirmation hearings on July 15 and 16 for Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Justice Department on a permanent basis. Blanche’s nomination was formally received by the Senate in early June, according to statements and releases from the committee and other official records.
Republican support is not assured. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said after meeting with Blanche on June 16 that the discussion was “positive,” but he also emphasized the importance of getting clarity on how Blanche would approach the job given his prior work as Trump’s personal criminal defense attorney.
A major flashpoint has been a settlement of Trump’s civil lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service that included plans for an “anti-weaponization” fund. The Justice Department publicly announced the creation of that fund in May, with Blanche, as Acting Attorney General, describing it as a process to hear and address claims of alleged government “weaponization.” In subsequent court filings and public reporting, however, the department has argued that lawsuits challenging the program are moot because Blanche has stated the fund is not moving forward.
Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina has been among the Republicans raising concerns about the settlement and the fund, and he has warned that the matter could become a decisive issue as Blanche seeks confirmation.
Separately, a group of roughly 1,200 former Justice Department officials has urged the Senate Judiciary Committee to oppose Blanche’s nomination ahead of the mid-July hearing, according to reporting on the letter.
The July hearings are expected to focus on Blanche’s plans for the department, including questions about political independence and the status of the IRS settlement provisions tied to the abandoned fund.
