Attorney General Nominee Todd Blanche Faces Scrutiny Over IRS Settlement and Epstein Records in Senate Hearing
During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche was questioned about the status of a disputed anti-weaponization fund, his prior work for President Trump, and the Justice Department’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, President Trump’s nominee for the top Justice Department post, spent Wednesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee fielding questions from both Democrats and Republicans. He said the $1.776 billion anti-weaponization fund created in a settlement with the IRS is no longer being pursued, though a portion of the agreement that shields Trump and his businesses from past tax-return audits remains in effect. A federal judge recently criticized the settlement, calling the fund an attempt to earmark taxpayer money for undefined grievances.
Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) pressed Blanche on whether Trump had formally agreed to terminate the fund, noting that the settlement language suggests the contract is still enforceable. Blanche replied that Trump’s lawyers could attempt to enforce the contract, but the Justice Department could not be compelled to fund the anti-weaponization program. Republican Senator Thom Tillis (NC) suggested codifying the fund’s termination into law and concluded his questioning with, ">You've done a great job today."
Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) asked if Blanche and Trump were friends. Blanche answered, "I'm his lawyer — was his lawyer. And now I'm the deputy attorney general," acknowledging his prior role as Trump’s personal attorney in several criminal matters, including the classified-documents and election-obstruction cases. Democrats highlighted this relationship as a potential conflict, with Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) stating, ">This casts a shadow over any ideas of independence."
Blanche defended the Justice Department’s recent achievements in combating violent crime, fraud, drug trafficking, and child exploitation. He also addressed criticism of the department’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, asserting that the agency has been "extraordinarily transparent" in releasing documents, and noting that the Biden administration had not been transparent. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) urged Blanche to meet with ten Epstein victims within 30 days; Blanche said the victims could meet with a staff member but could not meet directly because they are represented by counsel.
The hearing highlighted ongoing concerns about the anti-weaponization fund, Blanche’s prior ties to the president, and the Justice Department’s transparency in high-profile investigations.