Todd Blanche's confirmation hearing for US Attorney General is set to be a high-stakes showdown. As Deputy and Acting AG under President Donald Trump, he has drawn intense scrutiny over his tenure, marked by controversy and raised eyebrows among critics. The Senate Judiciary Committee will grill him on Wednesday about decisions that have left many questioning the direction of the Justice Department.
One major area of concern is the alleged purging of career prosecutors and a perceived shift in focus within the department. Critics are expected to press Blanche over his handling of sensitive cases, including the dismissal of anti-abortion prosecutors, the indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center on what they describe as trumped-up charges, and the prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey for displaying a seashell.
Blanche's role in releasing files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is also likely to be scrutinised. Critics point out sloppy redactions that inadvertently identified victims while keeping others associated with Epstein private. Former AG Pam Bondi, who Blanche replaced, had previously admitted to "redaction errors" in 2026 testimony, stating that Blanche was responsible for the files' release.
The agreement reached to settle a $10 billion lawsuit over President Trump's tax returns will also be under scrutiny. Approved by Blanche, it included a $1.8 billion 'slush fund', granted immunity from audits, and sparked bipartisan outrage before being scrapped. A federal judge has since condemned the deal as collusive.
Blanche's rapid rise within the Justice Department, from representing President Trump in private cases to second-highest law enforcement official, will also be examined. His decision to switch sides and back Trump less than five years ago has raised questions about whether politics is influencing departmental decisions.