Todd Blanche to Appear Before Senate Judiciary Committee for Attorney General Confirmation Hearing

Todd Blanche, appointed acting attorney general by President Donald Trump after Pam Bondi was fired in April, will appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday for his confirmation hearing, CNN reported. The hearing occurs after Sen. Lindsey Graham's sudden death over the weekend reduced the number of Republican votes on the panel.

Blanche signed a nearly $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund earlier in his tenure but told lawmakers last month that the fund would not move forward. A federal judge in Florida on Monday criticized the initial lawsuit that created the fund and included a tax audit immunity provision for Trump and his family. Republican senators have expressed reservations.

Sen. John Cornyn said he had concerns about the tax audit provision and told reporters Monday that the fund remained a big concern. Sen. Thom Tillis said he would oppose the nomination if there was any sign of a lack of independence from the White House but added he had a positive predisposition after meeting Blanche.

Sen. Dick Durbin stated that Blanche has used the Department of Justice as a shield to protect the president and his allies and as a sword to attack political opponents. Blanche has said he would accept another role if Trump nominates someone else.

The department continues other actions, including a wide-ranging probe into former officials who scrutinized Trump and a joint task force with the Defense Department to prosecute leakers, announced Monday by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. New York Times journalists are being required to testify before a grand jury over reporting on Trump's Qatari-donated plane.