Senate Expected to Confirm Blanche and Clayton Before August

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Director of National Intelligence nominee Jay Clayton are likely to be confirmed ahead of their hearings scheduled for Wednesday. Thune told The Post that Blanche's meetings have produced strong readouts and that Clayton has been confirmed before for the Securities and Exchange Commission.

He added that barring unforeseen developments at the hearings, both nominees should be in good shape and that he expects to move them before the August break.

Blanche has served as acting head of the Justice Department since April 2, when President Trump elevated him from deputy attorney general after firing Pam Bondi. Trump tapped Blanche, his former personal attorney, for the permanent Cabinet post about two months later. Clayton's earlier confirmation process was delayed after Trump required approval of his choice for the Manhattan U.S.

Attorney's Office first, leaving Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence. Thune noted that Sens. Thom Tillis and John Cornyn had previously expressed reservations about Blanche over a since-scrapped $1.776 billion Justice Department fund but said both senators are now having very good conversations with him.

Police unions representing more than 670,000 officers, along with 300 angel families and 100 bipartisan former Justice Department officials, have written to Congress in support of Blanche. Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans have invited former Attorney General John Ashcroft, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association President John Adler, and Jennifer Bos to testify on his behalf.

Democrats on the committee have invited Dani Bensky, a victim of Jeffrey Epstein, and former Justice Department official Liz Oyer to testify against Blanche.

Oyer was fired by Blanche after refusing to approve gun ownership rights for Mel Gibson. Senate Republicans have confirmed more than 500 executive branch nominations and 47 federal judges during President Trump's second term and have another 50-plus nominations ready to advance. Thune said Democrats have refused to confirm any judges or civilian executive branch nominees by unanimous consent.