Acting Attorney General Blanche Testifies He Recused from Trump Cases but Dismissed Jan. 6 Convictions

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche appeared before the Senate on Wednesday for a confirmation hearing. Sen. Adam Schiff accused Blanche of self-dealing and intentional refusal to recuse from President Donald Trump’s cases.

Blanche denied the allegations and accused Schiff of lying. He stated he met with Justice Department ethics lawyers about his prior representation of Trump in the Stormy Daniels, Mar-a-Lago classified documents, and Jan. 6 cases.

Blanche said he has recused himself from future litigation or Justice Department business involving those matters. He added that he told a CPAC audience there was no conflict of interest in the Justice Department firing prosecutors linked to Jan. 6 or other cases.

Blanche stated that as acting attorney general his department moved to dismiss Jan. 6-related convictions for 12 members of far-right groups. He said there was no reason for him to recuse from the Proud Boys matter because ethics rules did not require it.

Blanche denied any role in opposing release of the second volume of special counsel Jack Smith’s report on Trump. He said a federal judge in Miami, not the Justice Department, has prohibited its release. Schiff noted the report volume remains unreleased.

Blanche replied that Schiff’s statements about his actions were not true. Schiff asked what had changed since Blanche served as a federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York. Blanche said he remains the same person.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney for Central California Bill Essayli stated that facts are not Senator Schiff’s strong suit.