Todd Blanche grilled on DOJ policies, Epstein files at Senate hearing

Todd Blanche, nominee for US Attorney General, delivers opening remarks during his Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing in Washington, DC, on July 15, 2026.
Since becoming acting attorney general in early April, Blanche has overseen a new Justice Department prosecution of Trump's former FBI chief, James Comey, and defended the Justice Department's attempt to create an "anti-weaponization fund" that could have paid those convicted of crimes in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. Amid bipartisan backlash, Blanche backed off, saying he wouldn't move forward with the fund.

Survivors of Jeffery Epstein's crimes attend the confirmation hearing of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche before a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on his nomination to be Attorney General, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on July 15, 2026.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) speaks at the confirmation hearing for acting Attorney General Todd Blanche in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill July 15, 2026 in Washington, DC. During Blanche's tenure as acting Attorney General the Justice Department has been under scrutiny for pushing President Trump's 1.8 billion dollar "anti-weaponization" fund and its handling of the Epstein files.

Todd Blanche, nominee for US Attorney General, testifies during his Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing in Washington, DC, on July 15, 2026.

People wear "Release The Files" shirts as they attend the confirmation hearing of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche before a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on his nomination to be Attorney General, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on July 15, 2026.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) attends the confirmation hear for acting Attorney General Todd Blanche in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill July 15, 2026 in Washington, DC.

Todd Blanche, nominee for US Attorney General, arrives to testify in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington, DC, on July 15, 2026.

Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche testifies during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on his nomination to be Attorney General, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on July 15, 2026. Also pictured, his wife Kristine (R), his son Justin (2R), his daughter Sydney (4R) and granddaughter Blaine (3R).

Amanda Roberts, sister-in-law of Virginia Giuffre, sits in the gallery during the acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche's confirmation hearing before a Senate Judiciary Committee on his nomination to be attorney general, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., July 15, 2026.

Family members including daughter Sydney, granddaughter Blaine, son Justin and wife Kristine attend the confirmation hearing for acting Attorney General Todd Blanche in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill July 15, 2026 in Washington, DC.

A bouquet of flowers is placed in front of Lindsey Graham’s seat before the start of the confirmation hearing by the Senate Judiciary Committee for acting Attorney General Todd Blanche in Washington, DC, on July 15, 2026.