The Todd Blanche Confirmation Hearing Was a Tutorial in What This Administration Has Become
Todd Blanche sat in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday and answered questions about his tenure as acting attorney general of the United States. He was composed. He was measured. He was careful. He did not say anything that would definitively sink his confirmation. He also did not say anything that would definitively restore confidence in the institution he has been running for the past several months.
Todd Blanche, President Trump’s pick for attorney general, faced tough questioning — from Democrats and some Republicans — over issues that have dogged the Justice Department for the past 18 months. Blanche, currently the acting attorney general, had won Senate confirmation early in Trump’s second term to serve as deputy attorney general. But after facing hours in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday, Blanche’s confirmation to the top job is not assured. Jewish Insider
Let us inventory what Blanche has overseen in his time running the Justice Department.
A $1.776 billion anti-weaponization fund was established as part of a settlement with Trump to end his lawsuit against the IRS over his leaked tax returns. After bipartisan pushback, Blanche proclaimed the fund dead and said that no money would be paid out. But a part of the settlement that protects Trump, his family and his businesses from IRS audits of past tax returns remains in place. Newsweek
Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff of California asked Blanche if President Trump is immune from tax claims from the IRS this year under the settlement the acting attorney general signed off on earlier this year. “So, for a tax return filed this year for last year, for the billions he made, there is no tax liability, even if he cheats on his taxes or his kids do or his business do, he is absolved of that further potential liability?” Schiff asked. “No,” Blanche responded. “He hasn’t filed taxes yet, so when he files taxes, there’s no protection, based upon this agreement.” Newsweek
The man who gave Trump immunity from past IRS audits now says there’s no protection for future taxes. The distinction is noted. Whether it is meaningful depends on what you think a $10 billion lawsuit against your own government, settled with a tax immunity agreement, actually represents.
Lawmakers pressed Todd Blanche on subpoenas issued on Friday that seek to force New York Times reporters to testify before a federal grand jury, raising concerns about the possible weaponization of the Justice Department. “I happen to believe it’s extremely important to protect the right of the press to have confidential sources,” Blanche said. The Hill
He believes in press freedom. He subpoenaed four journalists. Both things are true simultaneously in the Todd Blanche Justice Department.
Dani Bensky, a survivor of Jeffrey Epstein, is also called to testify, alongside Elizabeth Oyer, a former Justice Department pardon attorney who was fired by Blanche. Oyer has argued that she was dismissed just one day after refusing to endorse the restoration of a man’s gun rights following a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction. The Hill
A fired pardon attorney testified that she was fired for refusing to follow Blanche’s direction. An Epstein survivor testified about the handling of files that the administration has released selectively while withholding others. These are the people who showed up to tell Congress what the Justice Department has been doing.
GOP Sen. Thom Tillis explained that he’s leaning yes on advancing acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination to lead the Justice Department, but he first needs to see President Donald Trump endorse a legislative move to kill the proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund once and for all. “I have to have absolute certainty that 1776 fund cannot rear its ugly head,” the North Carolina Republican who is not running for reelection, told CNN. Task & Purpose
The Republican who is not running for reelection is the one demanding accountability. Senators who still need Trump’s voters are leaning yes. The pattern holds.
Todd Blanche was Donald Trump’s personal criminal defense attorney. He sat at the defense table during Trump’s felony trial. He argued to a jury that his client was innocent of 34 counts. The jury convicted anyway. He is now the acting attorney general of the United States and is being asked to permanently lead the Justice Department. His confirmation is not assured — but it is close. If it goes through, the man who defended the president from criminal prosecution will permanently run the department responsible for criminal prosecution. The circle will be complete.