Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is scheduled to face intense questioning by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, regarding multiple controversies during his tenure at the Justice Department as he pursues confirmation for a permanent role.

Blanche, formerly President Donald Trump's defense attorney, initially received unanimous Republican support last year when nominated as the department's deputy. Since April, following Trump's removal of Pam Bondi as attorney general, Blanche has served as acting attorney general and was formally nominated by Trump in June.

Recently, several Republicans have expressed concerns about Justice Department actions under Blanche's leadership, particularly the now-defunct "Anti-Weaponization Fund." This fund was proposed as part of a settlement after Trump's personal attorneys sued the Internal Revenue Service for $10 billion over leaked tax returns. The settlement drew bipartisan condemnation and led to a behind-closed-doors standoff between Blanche and Senate Republicans, who demanded the fund's cancellation. The fund was criticized for potentially rewarding Trump allies who claimed wrongful targeting by the Biden administration, including individuals convicted of attacking police during the January events.

Although Blanche later stated the administration was dropping the fund, the Justice Department has not committed to this in writing and has not rescinded Blanche's separate order granting immunity from IRS probes to Trump and his family.

District Judge Kathleen Williams, who previously oversaw Trump's IRS lawsuit, referred Trump's attorneys for potential sanctions and forwarded her ruling to the New York State Bar for possible disciplinary action against Blanche. Williams accused Blanche of potentially giving "misleading" testimony to Congress about the settlement's execution.

Both Senators Cornyn and Tillis, who are nearing the end of their terms, have been affected by Trump-backed challengers in their primaries, with Cornyn defeated by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Tillis opting not to run again after threats of primary challenges.

Ranking Judiciary Committee Democrat Dick Durbin criticized Blanche, stating, "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's political opponents."

Democrats are expected to highlight these controversies to portray Blanche as an eager executor of Trump's political vendettas.

Sources