Todd Blanche’s upcoming confirmation hearing will test his prospects for becoming attorney general, with every Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee needed to back his nomination.
Republican support hinges on Jan. 6 stance and IRS lawsuit settlement
Blanche, who has served as acting attorney general since April, faces scrutiny over his handling of a contentious deal to settle President Donald Trump’s IRS lawsuit. Democrats are likely to press whether his statements truly close the door on any future revival of that settlement.
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Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, whose vote could be decisive, has warned he will not support a nominee who equivocates on the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.
The committee watches closely.
Epstein file handling remains a focal point
The Justice Department’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation continues to loom over Blanche’s confirmation.
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Relationship with Trump and the political‑opponent investigations
Blanche first entered the national spotlight as lead attorney for Trump in the New York hush‑money trial. Since joining the Justice Department, he has been described as a loyal ally of the president, a perception reinforced by his statements that “there’s not a whiff of political partisanship in what we’re doing.” Critics argue that his close ties could threaten the department’s independence.
He has defended the administration’s approach, noting that “some of them involve men, women and entities that the president in the past has had issues with and believes should be investigated. That is his right, and indeed it is his duty to do that.” He also said he feels no pressure to placate the president, despite reports that he accelerated investigations into perceived political foes after the dismissal of former attorney general Pam Bondi.
Republican senators remain split. While some appreciate his loyalty, others, like Tillis, demand a clear stance on the Jan. 6 events before offering support. The narrow margin on the committee—11 Republicans to 10 Democrats—means a single dissenting vote could derail the nomination.
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In the hearing, Democrats are expected to probe whether he truly “foreclosed the possibility of reviving the settlement,” especially as Trump continues to advocate for compensation for his supporters. At the same time, Republicans will likely focus on his statements about the Jan. 6 pardons, which he previously highlighted as an administration accomplishment.
Blanche’s responses will be important. If he can convincingly separate his personal loyalty to Trump from his official duties, and if he can assure the committee that the Justice Department will not be used as a political weapon, his nomination could survive the narrow vote. However, lingering doubts about the IRS settlement deal and the handling of the Epstein files may keep the Senate undecided until the final roll‑call.