Donald Trump’s former criminal defense attorney Todd Blanche is preparing for bipartisan grilling over two days of contentious confirmation hearings in the Senate as the president’s nominee for Attorney General.
Blanche, who has been serving as acting attorney general since Trump fired his predecessor Pam Bondi in April, is expected to face questions about the administration’s retribution campaign against Trump’s political enemies and a controversial deal that shields the president and his family from tax investigations.
Trump’s former lawyer is also expected to take questions about his handling of the release of millions of files stemming from investigations into Jeffrey Epstein and whether the Department of Justice will prosecute anyone else connected to the late sex offender.
After meeting with Blanche Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee’s top Democrat Dick Durbin said the nominee had told him “I made a mistake” by endorsing what critics have called a “slush fund” for Trump’s allies.
If Republicans can’t quickly replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham on the committee and GOP Sen. Thom Tillis refuses to back Blanche, the panel could be at a stalemate that prevents Blanche from advancing to the Senate for a full vote.
