Todd Blanche grilled on relationship with Trump, Epstein files at confirmation hearing

Attorney general nominee Todd Blanche pressed on controversial Trump fund, Epstein files

'I'm his lawyer,' Blanche says of president, before quickly correcting himself

Todd Blanche, a former lawyer for Donald Trump, was challenged by Democratic senators on his ability to lead the Justice Department free from the demands of the president in the first of two days of confirmation hearings on Wednesday.

Blanche, nominated by Trump to succeed Pam Bondi as attorney general, faced a wide range of questions, including on the handling of the department's release of files on the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as well as a controversial fund that Democrats have said rewards Trump allies and family members. Blanche, previously assistant attorney general, has been in Bondi's role in an acting capacity since her departure in early April.

Blanche, 51, made a verbal slip that will likely be played widely on news networks, when asked by Republican Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana if he was friends with Trump.

"I'm his lawyer," Blanche said, before quickly correcting, "was his ⁠lawyer." Blanche had earlier been castigated in the opening statement of Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, for referencing an April news conference in which Blanche said to Trump, "I love you, sir."

In further questioning from Kennedy, Blanche stressed that Trump as president has never given him an illegal order, and that he wouldn't follow such an order if asked.

Should the chamber's judiciary committee recommend Blanche for confirmation, the full Senate will then vote, where Republicans hold 53 of 100 seats.

The Republicans also lead the committee, with 11 members to 10 for the Democrats after the sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina last weekend. Blanche and several senators paid tribute to Graham's career and work on the panel.

The key Republican on the panel is arguably John Cornyn of Texas, who will leave the Senate after being beaten in a primary by the Trump-endorsed Ken Paxton this spring. Cornyn told Reuters on Tuesday he had yet to decide how he will vote on Blanche's candidacy.

Cornyn, along with several Democrats, pressed Blanche on the Justice Department's decision to settle Trump's lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service by creating a $1.8 billion US fund to compensate Trump allies for alleged prior government mistreatment along. An associated order also shielded Trump and his family businesses from facing tax audits over prior conduct.

"The weaponization fund is dead, it's not moving forward," said Blanche.

Cornyn questioned that, saying the agreement notes it remains "enforceable," and he got Blanche to admit that Trump's lawyers could theoretically file a lawsuit protesting the end of the fund.

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The agreement, derisively called a "slush fund" by Trump critics on Capitol Hill, has lead to allegations of self-dealing. A federal judge on Monday concluded that Trump and lawyers in his administration improperly used the case to benefit the president and his allies and referred lawyers involved, including Blanche, to state bar authorities to investigate any legal ethics.

Republican Thom Tillis of North Carolina, also not returning to the Senate next year, has previously called the fund, "stupid on stilts."

"I want to stick a fork in it," he said Wednesday, urging Blanche to definitively declare the fund over in writing.

But otherwise, Tillis accused Democrats of hypocrisy, arguing that the Justice Department was weaponized in Joe Biden's administration by attempting to prosecute Trump. He concluded by telling Blanche he had "done a great job today."

Blanche, who defended ⁠Trump in three criminal cases he faced as a private citizen between his presidential terms, said he wouldn't discuss private conversations with the president. But his answers seemed to suggest that Trump, as with previous attorney generals including Bondi, William Barr and Jeff Sessions, is in regular contact. Most other recent presidents have maintained a more arms-length relationship with attorneys general.

Blanche was also questioned about the Epstein files. This week, several women who say they are survivors of Epstein's abuse released a video slamming a botched release ​of the files that exposed some victims' identities.

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Blanche took responsibility for mistakes in the release of the files and said ⁠the DOJ was prepared to investigate and prosecute criminal conduct by anyone else associated with Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. But Blanche declined to commit to meeting with Epstein victims, saying others in the department and FBI were better positioned.

Asked by Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island how long Blanche as attorney general would "put up with that Kash Patel character," Blanche said he had "full faith" in the FBI director.

Patel has faced critical reporting about his use of the agency's plane for alleged personal use, as well as his missteps in high-profile investigations.

Blanche in his opening statement touted his record reducing violent crime and combatting fraud in public benefits programs. Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, who leads the committee, said Blanche's nomination has the support of several police and law enforcement unions and associations.

Democrats countered by submitting a letter from more than 1,200 former Justice Department officials and employees who oppose the Blanche nomination. Turnover since Trump returned to power has numbered in the thousands.