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Jun 16, 20261
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Senate Judiciary Committee Schedules July Confirmation Hearings for Todd Blanche as Attorney General
The Senate Judiciary Committee has scheduled confirmation hearings for acting Attorney General Todd Blanche for July 15 and 16, with some Republican senators remaining undecided over concerns about a controversial anti-weaponization settlement fund. Blanche, who previously served as one of Trump's personal lawyers, requires backing from all 12 Republicans on the panel to advance if Democrats unanimously oppose him.
Quick Facts
Who
Todd Blanche
What
Senate Judiciary Committee scheduled confirmation hearings for Todd Blanche
When
June 2026 (reported date)
Where
Washington
- Senate Judiciary Committee scheduled confirmation hearings for Todd Blanche
- Trump nominated Blanche to lead the Justice Department
- Blanche testified the anti-weaponization fund would not go forward
- Republican senators expressed concerns about the settlement fund
- Blanche met with senators on Capitol Hill to build support
The Senate Judiciary Committee has scheduled confirmation hearings for acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on July 15 and 16, as President Donald Trump's nominee faces scrutiny from some Republicans over a controversial $1.776 billion anti-weaponization settlement fund. Blanche, who previously served as one of Trump's personal lawyers before joining the administration, was elevated to acting attorney general in April following the departure of Pam Bondi. The nomination comes at a time of heightened tensions between the Senate and the White House.
Key concerns center on the anti-weaponization fund, which sparked intense disagreement during a closed-door Senate meeting in May that Sen. Ted Cruz described as "one of the roughest meetings I've seen in my entire time in the Senate." While Blanche testified to a House panel that the administration is "not moving forward with the fund, period," Republican senators including Thom Tillis and John Cornyn have sought stronger assurances. Tillis stated it would "be an issue if the weaponization fund isn't effectively dead by the confirmation hearing." Cornyn indicated he would not decide on his vote until after the hearings, though he described a recent meeting with Blanche as "positive."
Blanche will require support from all 12 Republicans on the Judiciary Committee for confirmation if all Democrats vote against him. Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed confidence that Blanche "will get a fair hearing" and pledged to schedule a floor vote if he advances from committee. However, Democrats have signaled strong opposition. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer stated Democrats would "fight this confirmation with everything we have." A former federal prosecutor in New York, Blanche was a prominent member of Trump's defense team, including during the Republican president's hush money trial, leading critics to argue he still acts as Trump's personal lawyer rather than an independent chief law enforcement officer.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley expressed confidence in Blanche's confirmation prospects, noting his previous confirmation as deputy attorney general last year, though Sen. John Kennedy acknowledged the path would be "tough." Blanche has been actively meeting with senators on Capitol Hill to build support for his nomination.
Why This Matters
This confirmation battle signals deep fractures within Republican ranks over executive power and the Justice Department's independence. The controversy over the anti-weaponization settlement fund—described by Sen. Ted Cruz as one of the Senate's most contentious debates—reflects broader concerns about potential politicization of law enforcement. For readers, the outcome will determine whether the nation's chief law enforcement officer maintains institutional independence or becomes perceived as Trump's personal legal advocate, directly affecting public trust in the Justice Department's impartiality.