Todd Blanche, a close ally of former President Donald Trump and his former personal attorney, testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, as he seeks confirmation as the United States Attorney General.

Blanche has played a key role in Trump's efforts to reshape the federal government during his second term. Appointed as deputy attorney general at the start of the term, Blanche oversaw the Justice Department's daily operations amid the removal of career employees linked to investigations involving Trump. The department under his direction focused on targeting political rivals and probing disproven conspiracy theories related to the 2020 election.

Following the firing of Attorney General Pam Bondi in April, Blanche served as acting attorney general, intensifying the administration's retribution agenda. Democrats are expected to question Blanche on several contentious actions, including the dismissal of career prosecutors involved in anti-abortion cases, the indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center on questionable charges, and the filing of criminal charges against former FBI Director James Comey over a seashell display on a beach that read “86 47,” shorthand for “get rid of Trump.”

Blanche's tenure has also been marked by instances where prosecutors and government lawyers faced reprimands for misrepresentations before judges.

Senator Dick Durbin, ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, criticized Blanche's loyalty to Trump over the Constitution, stating, “Your tenure can be summed up in just four words: ‘I love you sir.’ This nation deserves an Attorney General who loves the Constitution more than he loves the President.”

In related testimony from May, Pam Bondi acknowledged “redaction errors” in the Epstein files but maintained the department's commitment to accountability and transparency. However, Bondi also criticized Blanche, saying he has not taken responsibility for mistakes related to the files, has no plans to investigate leads contained within them, and has been less than honest about involving survivors in the process.

Stacey Young, former Justice Department attorney and founder of Justice Connection, a group of department alumni, said, “Since his confirmation as deputy attorney general, Todd Blanche has shown time and again that his guiding star is fealty to the president, not the constitution.”

Blanche's confirmation hearing highlights the ongoing tensions over the Justice Department's direction and independence under Trump's influence.

Sources