Todd Blanche faces Senate confirmation hearing amid fund controversy and Epstein file scrutiny

Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, President Trump’s former personal lawyer, appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee on July 15, 2026 to seek permanent confirmation. He defended the Justice Department’s work while facing bipartisan grilling on several hot‑button issues. Senators questioned his role in a settlement with the IRS that created a $1.8 billion “anti‑weaponization” fund to compensate Trump allies—Blanche repeatedly said the fund is “dead” and will not be launched. He was also pressed about the department’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, which critics say were released with redaction errors that exposed victims. Supporters, including law‑enforcement groups and many U.S. attorneys, praised his focus on violent‑crime reduction, while more than 1,200 former DOJ officials signed a letter opposing his nomination. The sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham narrowed the Republican margin on the committee, leaving Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis undecided. Republican leaders, such as Senate Majority Leader John Thune, expressed confidence that Blanche will be confirmed before the August recess, but Democrats assert he remains a Trump‑aligned lawyer rather than an impartial justice chief.