{"id":6723,"date":"2026-07-15T14:18:38","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T09:18:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=6723"},"modified":"2026-07-15T14:18:38","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T09:18:38","slug":"blanche-to-face-grilling-on-doj-controversies-as-he-seeks-confirmation-as-ag","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=6723","title":{"rendered":"Blanche to face grilling on DOJ controversies as he seeks confirmation as AG"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" data-testid=\"prism-article-body\">\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao MvWXB TjIXL aGjvy ebVHC \">Acting Attorney General <a class=\"zZygg UbGlr iFzkS qdXbA WCDhQ DbOXS tqUtK GpWVU iJYzE \" data-testid=\"prism-linkbase\" href=\"https:\/\/abcnews.com\/Politics\/trumps-criminal-defense-lawyer-acting-ag-todd-blanche\/story?id=131662076\" dir=\"ltr\">Todd Blanche<\/a> is set to be grilled by the Senate Judiciary Committee<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->Wednesday over a <a class=\"zZygg UbGlr iFzkS qdXbA WCDhQ DbOXS tqUtK GpWVU iJYzE \" data-testid=\"prism-linkbase\" href=\"https:\/\/abcnews.com\/Politics\/blanches-nomination-ag-uphill-battle\/story?id=133589772\" dir=\"ltr\">series of controversies<\/a> from his time with the Justice Department as he seeks confirmation to secure his role on a permanent basis.<!-- -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Formerly President Donald Trump&#8217;s defense attorney, Blanche faced a relatively smooth glide path to confirmation<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->with unanimous Republican support last year<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->when he<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->was nominated to serve as the department&#8217;s number two official.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Since Trump&#8217;s ouster of Pam Bondi as attorney general in April, Blanche has served in the position in an acting role and Trump formally nominated him in June.<\/p>\n<div class=\"oLzSq QrHMO fnRUo pvsTF EhJPu vPlOC zNYgW OsTsW RMeqy daRVX ISNQ sKyCY eRftA acPPc MENS nFwaT MCnQE mEeeY SmBjI xegrY rPLsU iulOd NIuqO zzscu lzDCc aHUBM IEgzD OjMNy eQqcx SVqKB GQmdz jaoD VWDdR ONJdw vrZxD OnRTz gbbfF roDbV GPGwb oMlSS gfNzt oJhud eXZcf zhVlX \">\n<div>\n<div class=\"InlineImage GpQCA lZur asrEW \" data-testid=\"prism-inline-image\">\n<figure class=\"kzIjN GNmeK pYrtp dSqFO \" data-testid=\"prism-figure\">\n<div class=\"GpQCA lZur gIjeL \" data-testid=\"prism-ratio-frame\">\n<div class=\"FvQLF iLTd NqeUA UzzHi iWsMV \"><picture data-testid=\"prism-picture\"><source media=\"(max-width: 414px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/cf25164c-e91c-4632-b8b5-5813ee7e5fd4\/blanche-1-gty-er-260714_1784067222691_hpMain.jpg?w=375, https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/cf25164c-e91c-4632-b8b5-5813ee7e5fd4\/blanche-1-gty-er-260714_1784067222691_hpMain.jpg?w=750 2x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 415px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/cf25164c-e91c-4632-b8b5-5813ee7e5fd4\/blanche-1-gty-er-260714_1784067222691_hpMain.jpg?w=750, https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/cf25164c-e91c-4632-b8b5-5813ee7e5fd4\/blanche-1-gty-er-260714_1784067222691_hpMain.jpg?w=1500 2x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"hsDdd NDJZt sJeUN IJwXl vBqtr KrDt itslR SjwtZ hakZw HlUVI \" data-testid=\"prism-image\" draggable=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/cf25164c-e91c-4632-b8b5-5813ee7e5fd4\/blanche-1-gty-er-260714_1784067222691_hpMain.jpg\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>\n<div class=\"nMMea bNYiy Mjgpa dGwha DDmxa jgKNG RGHCC aBIU PriDW aiQHS lZur \" data-testid=\"prism-caption\">\n<p><span class=\"hsDdd OOSI GpQCA lZur VlFaz \" data-testid=\"prism-truncate\"><span><span class=\"gtOSm FbbUW tUtYa vOCwz EQwFq yCufu eEak Qmvg nyTIa SRXVc vzLa jgBfc WXDas CiUCW kqbG zrdEG txGfn ygKVe BbezD UOtxr CVfpq xijV soGRS XgdC sEIlf daWqJ \">Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche testifies during a House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies hearing in the Rayburn House Office Building, June 2, 2026 in Washington, D.C.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"gtOSm FbbUW tUtYa vOCwz EQwFq yCufu eEak Qmvg nyTIa SRXVc vzLa jgBfc WXDas CiUCW kqbG zrdEG txGfn ygKVe BbezD UOtxr CVfpq xijV soGRS XgdC sEIlf daWqJ YNujN JGtjI aZFDu rkKLh \">Andrew Harnik\/Getty Images<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Blanche&#8217;s<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->road to confirmation is further complicated by the sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, a veteran of the Judiciary Committee<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->who<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->was expected to be a strong advocate for Blanche<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->with his GOP colleagues. Blanche<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->will likely need the support of every Republican on the committee in order for his nomination to advance to the Senate floor, as all Democrats are expected to oppose him.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">\u00a0<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->In recent months, multiple Republicans have voiced concerns<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->with actions taken by the Justice Department under Blanche&#8217;s leadership &#8212; most notably the now-defunct &#8220;Anti-Weaponization Fund&#8221; that<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->was propped up under the guise of a settlement after Trump&#8217;s personal attorneys sued the Internal Revenue Service for $10 billion over the leak of his tax returns. One day after that settlement<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->was announced, Blanche signed an additional document that purported to give Trump and his family immunity from IRS investigations of all of their past tax returns.<!-- -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">The announced settlement drew<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->bipartisan condemnation that led to an extraordinary behind-closed-doors standoff between Blanche and Senate Republicans<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->who demanded the administration drop the proposed fund that could have been used to award Trump allies<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->who claimed to have been<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->wrongful targets of the Biden administration &#8212; including those convicted of attacking police during the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol.<!-- -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">While Blanche later said the administration<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->was dropping the fund, the department has so far refused to commit to doing so in<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->writing, and the DOJ has also not rescinded Blanche&#8217;s separate order regarding immunity from IRS probes for Trump and his family.<!-- -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">On Monday, a federal judge in Florida <a class=\"zZygg UbGlr iFzkS qdXbA WCDhQ DbOXS tqUtK GpWVU iJYzE \" data-testid=\"prism-linkbase\" href=\"https:\/\/nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fabcnews.com%2FUS%2Fjudge-refers-trumps-attorneys-potential-disciplinary-action-irs%2Fstory%3Fid%3D134719548&amp;data=05%7C02%7CJohn.Helton%40abc.com%7C99700ace4f4d488497d008dee1d3bfdc%7C56b731a8a2ac4c32bf6b616810e913c6%7C1%7C0%7C639196496778402326%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=l65fVFgmuTK6R54gKO23DpSpizWRJJvhcOH37E2mTOw%3D&amp;reserved=0\" dir=\"ltr\"><u class=\" \">issued an extraordinary order<\/u><\/a>\u00a0<!-- -->that lambasted Trump and the Justice Department for misusing her court to legitimize a &#8220;settlement&#8221; that she says<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->would never have survived judicial review.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">U.S. District Judge Kathleen<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->Williams,<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->who had previously been assigned to oversee Trump&#8217;s IRS lawsuit, referred Trump&#8217;s attorneys for potential sanctions and separately sent her ruling to the State Bar of New<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->York for consideration in potential disciplinary proceedings for Blanche &#8212;<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->who<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->Williams said had potentially given &#8220;misleading&#8221; testimony to Congress about how<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->the settlement<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->was executed.<!-- -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">The Justice Department has yet to respond publicly to<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->Williams&#8217; order.<!-- -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"vPZug ZqdKL xcLAU bunQU uhXXI PjNjV lNbol LBPRq \">Cornyn: Ruling raises more questions<\/h3>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Republican Sen. John Cornyn, a key vote on the Judiciary Committee<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->who has said he remains undecided on Blanche&#8217;s nomination, told reporters Monday that<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->Williams&#8217; ruling raised more questions for Blanche to answer in his hearing.<!-- -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Sen. Thom Tillis, another closely<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->watched Republican on the committee, said Tuesday that the fund needs to be &#8220;certainly and completely ended&#8221; before he can vote for Blanche to be sworn in as attorney general.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Both Cornyn and Tillis are serving out the end of their terms &#8212; Cornyn was defeated in Texas&#8217; GOP primary by Trump-backed state Attorney General Ken Paxton and Tillis decided against running again after Trump threatened to put up a candidate to challenge him in North Carolina&#8217;s Republican primary.<\/p>\n<div class=\"oLzSq QrHMO fnRUo pvsTF EhJPu vPlOC zNYgW OsTsW RMeqy daRVX ISNQ sKyCY eRftA acPPc MENS nFwaT MCnQE mEeeY SmBjI xegrY rPLsU iulOd NIuqO zzscu lzDCc aHUBM IEgzD OjMNy eQqcx SVqKB GQmdz jaoD VWDdR ONJdw vrZxD OnRTz gbbfF roDbV GPGwb oMlSS gfNzt oJhud eXZcf zhVlX \">\n<div>\n<div class=\"InlineImage GpQCA lZur asrEW \" data-testid=\"prism-inline-image\">\n<figure class=\"kzIjN GNmeK pYrtp dSqFO \" data-testid=\"prism-figure\">\n<div class=\"GpQCA lZur gIjeL \" data-testid=\"prism-ratio-frame\">\n<div class=\"FvQLF iLTd NqeUA UzzHi iWsMV \"><picture data-testid=\"prism-picture\"><source media=\"(max-width: 414px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/b057c2d8-ad38-4208-9f7a-df3ca7ff5882\/blanche-2-gty-er-260714_1784067597209_hpEmbed_3x2.jpg?w=375, https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/b057c2d8-ad38-4208-9f7a-df3ca7ff5882\/blanche-2-gty-er-260714_1784067597209_hpEmbed_3x2.jpg?w=750 2x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 415px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/b057c2d8-ad38-4208-9f7a-df3ca7ff5882\/blanche-2-gty-er-260714_1784067597209_hpEmbed_3x2.jpg?w=750, https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/b057c2d8-ad38-4208-9f7a-df3ca7ff5882\/blanche-2-gty-er-260714_1784067597209_hpEmbed_3x2.jpg?w=1500 2x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"hsDdd NDJZt sJeUN IJwXl vBqtr KrDt itslR SjwtZ hakZw HlUVI \" data-testid=\"prism-image\" draggable=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/b057c2d8-ad38-4208-9f7a-df3ca7ff5882\/blanche-2-gty-er-260714_1784067597209_hpEmbed_3x2.jpg\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>\n<div class=\"nMMea bNYiy Mjgpa dGwha DDmxa jgKNG RGHCC aBIU PriDW aiQHS lZur \" data-testid=\"prism-caption\">\n<p><span class=\"hsDdd OOSI GpQCA lZur VlFaz \" data-testid=\"prism-truncate\"><span><span class=\"gtOSm FbbUW tUtYa vOCwz EQwFq yCufu eEak Qmvg nyTIa SRXVc vzLa jgBfc WXDas CiUCW kqbG zrdEG txGfn ygKVe BbezD UOtxr CVfpq xijV soGRS XgdC sEIlf daWqJ \">Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche speaks at a news conference to announce an update on the Epstein files at the Department of Justice, Jan. 30, 2026, in Washington, D.C.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"gtOSm FbbUW tUtYa vOCwz EQwFq yCufu eEak Qmvg nyTIa SRXVc vzLa jgBfc WXDas CiUCW kqbG zrdEG txGfn ygKVe BbezD UOtxr CVfpq xijV soGRS XgdC sEIlf daWqJ YNujN JGtjI aZFDu rkKLh \">Anna Moneymaker\/Getty Images<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Blanche&#8217;s handling of the &#8220;anti-weaponization fund&#8221; is just one among a series of controversies from his time atop the Justice Department that Democrats<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->will seek to seize on to cast Blanche as an eager henchman to execute Trump&#8217;s campaign of vengeance against his political enemies.<!-- -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">&#8220;While deploying the Justice Department as a shield for the President and his cronies, Blanche has also used our top law-enforcement agency as a sword against Trump&#8217;s political opponents,&#8221; ranking Judiciary Committee Democrat Dick Durbin said in a statement following Blanche&#8217;s nomination.<!-- -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Democrats are expected to highlight DOJ&#8217;s now-dismissed cases that targeted former FBI Director James Comey and New<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->York Attorney General Letitia James &#8212; in addition to a new<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->indictment targeting Comey in North Carolina over an image of seashells reading &#8216;8647&#8217; that prosecutors argue amounts to a death threat targeting Trump. Comey has pleaded not guilty to those charges and his attorneys are set to argue for the case to be dismissed on the grounds he&#8217;s being vindictively targeted by the administration.<!-- -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Committee Democrats<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->will also likely press Blanche over a series of other probes that judges across the country have labeled as politically driven, dismissing subpoenas that<a class=\"zZygg UbGlr iFzkS qdXbA WCDhQ DbOXS tqUtK GpWVU iJYzE \" data-testid=\"prism-linkbase\" href=\"https:\/\/nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fabcnews.com%2FUS%2Fjudge-quashes-doj-subpoena-seeking-fulton-county-election%2Fstory%3Fid%3D134562046&amp;data=05%7C02%7CJohn.Helton%40abc.com%7C99700ace4f4d488497d008dee1d3bfdc%7C56b731a8a2ac4c32bf6b616810e913c6%7C1%7C0%7C639196496778437605%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=rSh3L8KrLABMIrCgZPw7Y%2BkeDPwsV6DFzMakCHp8%2B3Q%3D&amp;reserved=0\">\u00a0<\/a><a class=\"zZygg UbGlr iFzkS qdXbA WCDhQ DbOXS tqUtK GpWVU iJYzE \" data-testid=\"prism-linkbase\" href=\"https:\/\/nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fabcnews.com%2FUS%2Fjudge-quashes-doj-subpoena-seeking-fulton-county-election%2Fstory%3Fid%3D134562046&amp;data=05%7C02%7CJohn.Helton%40abc.com%7C99700ace4f4d488497d008dee1d3bfdc%7C56b731a8a2ac4c32bf6b616810e913c6%7C1%7C0%7C639196496778460882%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=PcTk3ksl2Y3RqDiYf1faTUJ4f4iYU36qKsCHWUGMP2s%3D&amp;reserved=0\" dir=\"ltr\"><u class=\" \">targeted Fulton County election<\/u><u class=\" \">\u00a0<\/u><u class=\" \">w<\/u><u class=\" \">orkers<\/u><\/a>,<a class=\"zZygg UbGlr iFzkS qdXbA WCDhQ DbOXS tqUtK GpWVU iJYzE \" data-testid=\"prism-linkbase\" href=\"https:\/\/nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fabcnews.com%2FPolitics%2Ffederal-judge-tosses-doj-subpoenas-minnesota-gov-tim%2Fstory%3Fid%3D134102990&amp;data=05%7C02%7CJohn.Helton%40abc.com%7C99700ace4f4d488497d008dee1d3bfdc%7C56b731a8a2ac4c32bf6b616810e913c6%7C1%7C0%7C639196496778478853%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=uLItmttUgQCecnWLk39Uwl2xkRLoYOAye7arAwj4Yi0%3D&amp;reserved=0\">\u00a0<\/a><a class=\"zZygg UbGlr iFzkS qdXbA WCDhQ DbOXS tqUtK GpWVU iJYzE \" data-testid=\"prism-linkbase\" href=\"https:\/\/nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fabcnews.com%2FPolitics%2Ffederal-judge-tosses-doj-subpoenas-minnesota-gov-tim%2Fstory%3Fid%3D134102990&amp;data=05%7C02%7CJohn.Helton%40abc.com%7C99700ace4f4d488497d008dee1d3bfdc%7C56b731a8a2ac4c32bf6b616810e913c6%7C1%7C0%7C639196496778496598%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=SqWnz5E2HfWmW0QOa2T9rC8ue8EQVhZh1FnusEnGBjo%3D&amp;reserved=0\" dir=\"ltr\"><u class=\" \">Minnesota state officials<\/u><\/a>\u00a0<!-- -->over their refusal to cooperate on immigration enforcement, and<a class=\"zZygg UbGlr iFzkS qdXbA WCDhQ DbOXS tqUtK GpWVU iJYzE \" data-testid=\"prism-linkbase\" href=\"https:\/\/nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fabcnews.com%2FPolitics%2Fjudge-blocks-doj-subpoenas-involving-fed-chair-jerome%2Fstory%3Fid%3D131049110&amp;data=05%7C02%7CJohn.Helton%40abc.com%7C99700ace4f4d488497d008dee1d3bfdc%7C56b731a8a2ac4c32bf6b616810e913c6%7C1%7C0%7C639196496778517026%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=b4WRXge7eGE%2BwnFVffMhGVcSEPpp3v2pupRZ3kZ%2BF2s%3D&amp;reserved=0\">\u00a0<\/a><a class=\"zZygg UbGlr iFzkS qdXbA WCDhQ DbOXS tqUtK GpWVU iJYzE \" data-testid=\"prism-linkbase\" href=\"https:\/\/nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fabcnews.com%2FPolitics%2Fjudge-blocks-doj-subpoenas-involving-fed-chair-jerome%2Fstory%3Fid%3D131049110&amp;data=05%7C02%7CJohn.Helton%40abc.com%7C99700ace4f4d488497d008dee1d3bfdc%7C56b731a8a2ac4c32bf6b616810e913c6%7C1%7C0%7C639196496778547108%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=41beYx%2BK55VyZc6t2AAai%2B24%2BY2ejLGwixyIKXKCu4M%3D&amp;reserved=0\" dir=\"ltr\"><u class=\" \">a criminal probe of former Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Po<\/u><u class=\" \">w<\/u><u class=\" \">ell<\/u><\/a>\u00a0<!-- -->that a judge said<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->was based on zero evidence.<\/p>\n<div class=\"oLzSq QrHMO fnRUo pvsTF EhJPu vPlOC zNYgW OsTsW RMeqy daRVX ISNQ sKyCY eRftA acPPc MENS nFwaT MCnQE mEeeY SmBjI xegrY rPLsU iulOd NIuqO zzscu lzDCc aHUBM IEgzD OjMNy eQqcx SVqKB GQmdz jaoD VWDdR ONJdw vrZxD OnRTz gbbfF roDbV GPGwb oMlSS gfNzt oJhud eXZcf zhVlX \">\n<div>\n<div class=\"InlineImage GpQCA lZur asrEW \" data-testid=\"prism-inline-image\">\n<figure class=\"kzIjN GNmeK pYrtp dSqFO \" data-testid=\"prism-figure\">\n<div class=\"GpQCA lZur gIjeL \" data-testid=\"prism-ratio-frame\">\n<div class=\"FvQLF iLTd NqeUA UzzHi iWsMV \"><picture data-testid=\"prism-picture\"><source media=\"(max-width: 414px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/d60a794f-b712-4b1d-ae83-abdb8b25a217\/blanche-3-gty-er-260714_1784067826455_hpEmbed_3x2.jpg?w=375, https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/d60a794f-b712-4b1d-ae83-abdb8b25a217\/blanche-3-gty-er-260714_1784067826455_hpEmbed_3x2.jpg?w=750 2x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 415px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/d60a794f-b712-4b1d-ae83-abdb8b25a217\/blanche-3-gty-er-260714_1784067826455_hpEmbed_3x2.jpg?w=750, https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/d60a794f-b712-4b1d-ae83-abdb8b25a217\/blanche-3-gty-er-260714_1784067826455_hpEmbed_3x2.jpg?w=1500 2x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"hsDdd NDJZt sJeUN IJwXl vBqtr KrDt itslR SjwtZ hakZw HlUVI \" data-testid=\"prism-image\" draggable=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/d60a794f-b712-4b1d-ae83-abdb8b25a217\/blanche-3-gty-er-260714_1784067826455_hpEmbed_3x2.jpg\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>\n<div class=\"nMMea bNYiy Mjgpa dGwha DDmxa jgKNG RGHCC aBIU PriDW aiQHS lZur \" data-testid=\"prism-caption\">\n<p><span class=\"hsDdd OOSI GpQCA lZur VlFaz \" data-testid=\"prism-truncate\"><span><span class=\"gtOSm FbbUW tUtYa vOCwz EQwFq yCufu eEak Qmvg nyTIa SRXVc vzLa jgBfc WXDas CiUCW kqbG zrdEG txGfn ygKVe BbezD UOtxr CVfpq xijV soGRS XgdC sEIlf daWqJ \">Former President Donald Trump and his attorney Todd Blanche exit the courthouse and speak to media after Trump was found guilty following his hush money trial at Manhattan Criminal Court, May 30, 2024, in New York.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"gtOSm FbbUW tUtYa vOCwz EQwFq yCufu eEak Qmvg nyTIa SRXVc vzLa jgBfc WXDas CiUCW kqbG zrdEG txGfn ygKVe BbezD UOtxr CVfpq xijV soGRS XgdC sEIlf daWqJ YNujN JGtjI aZFDu rkKLh \"> Mark Peterson\/Pool\/Getty Images<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"vPZug ZqdKL xcLAU bunQU uhXXI PjNjV lNbol LBPRq \">Questions about ICE tactics and more<\/h3>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Blanche<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->will also likely face questions over the two fatal shootings by ICE agents over the past<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->week and the administration&#8217;s ongoing investigations into the separate shootings of protesters Renee Good and Alex Pretti during an immigration crackdown in Minneapolis earlier this year.<!-- -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">In recent months the administration has also mounted a more aggressive push targeting reporters to root out their sources,<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->with the<!-- -->\u00a0<a class=\"zZygg UbGlr iFzkS qdXbA WCDhQ DbOXS tqUtK GpWVU iJYzE \" data-testid=\"prism-linkbase\" href=\"https:\/\/nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2026%2F07%2F11%2Fbusiness%2Fmedia%2Fnew-york-times-trump-subpoenas.html&amp;data=05%7C02%7CJohn.Helton%40abc.com%7C99700ace4f4d488497d008dee1d3bfdc%7C56b731a8a2ac4c32bf6b616810e913c6%7C1%7C0%7C639196496778580025%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=3fzu0V2gwvGoLuGtHSm%2FCkYB9%2BSW9zAQ%2FCUutobVKbU%3D&amp;reserved=0\" dir=\"ltr\"><u class=\" \">Ne<\/u><u class=\" \">w<\/u><u class=\" \">\u00a0<\/u><u class=\" \">York Times last<\/u><u class=\" \">\u00a0<\/u><u class=\" \">w<\/u><u class=\" \">eek disclosing<\/u><\/a>\u00a0<!-- -->that several of its journalists<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->were subpoenaed to testify in federal court in Manhattan at the same time Blanche<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->will be appearing before the Senate panel.<!-- -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Blanche also played a central role in the administration&#8217;s botched handling of the release of files stemming from its investigation into the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and sat for a two-day interview<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->with Epstein&#8217;s convicted co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell in federal prison while he was assistant AG. Democrats have accused Blanche of later arranging for Maxwell&#8217;s transfer to a less restrictive prison facility in Texas,<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->which he has repeatedly denied.<!-- -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">In the lead up to his hearing, Blanche has been seen making frequent jaunts to Capitol Hill meeting<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->with senators to rally support for his confirmation. In recent<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->weeks, he has held sessions preparing answers on some of the more controversial subjects he&#8217;s likely to be pressed on &#8212; including his loyalties to Trump, his position on monetary awards for Jan. 6 defendants and Trump&#8217;s demands that the Justice Department aggressively investigate his 2020 election loss and potentially intervene in the upcoming midterms.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC eTIW sUzSN \">It&#8217;s not immediately clear<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->when the full Senate<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->would move for a vote on Blanche&#8217;s nomination if passed by the committee, though administration officials have said their goal<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->would be for him to be confirmed before the August recess.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is set to be grilled by the Senate Judiciary Committee\u00a0Wednesday over a series of controversies from his time with the Justice Department as he seeks confirmation to secure his role on a permanent basis.\u00a0 Formerly President Donald Trump&#8217;s defense attorney, Blanche faced a relatively smooth glide path to confirmation\u00a0with unanimous&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6724,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/cf25164c-e91c-4632-b8b5-5813ee7e5fd4\/blanche-1-gty-er-260714_1784067222691_hpMain_16x9.jpg?w=1600","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6723","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-abc-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6723","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6723"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6723\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6724"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6723"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6723"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6723"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}