Five takeaways from Todd Blanche hearing as Trump’s attorney general pick gains more GOP favor

Senate Judiciary Committee Examines Todd Blanche Nomination for Attorney General

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on July 15, 2026, regarding his nomination to lead the Department of Justice. Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley stated after the hearing that Sens. Thom Tillis and John Cornyn continued to have questions but indicated those matters could be addressed before a committee vote. The panel is scheduled to hear from outside witnesses on July 16, with a committee vote expected after two weeks and a potential floor vote in the Senate’s final week before the August recess.

The hearing covered Blanche’s prior role as personal counsel to President Donald Trump, the administration’s IRS settlement agreement, litigation over abortion medication regulations, and the release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. Senators from both parties questioned Blanche on these topics.

Republican senators raise specific concerns

Tillis and Cornyn questioned Blanche on issues that had prompted their review of the nomination. Tillis concluded his questions by noting that Blanche had addressed several points raised. Cornyn inquired about the enforceability of terms in the IRS settlement agreement but did not state a position on confirmation.

Former Senate Judiciary Committee aide Mike Fragoso observed that Tillis appeared satisfied with the responses and that Cornyn’s remaining questions did not appear to present an insurmountable obstacle. Grassley expressed confidence that outstanding issues could be resolved prior to a vote.

Democratic senators question administration actions

Democratic members focused on Blanche’s relationship with Trump, the handling of Epstein-related materials, personnel matters at the department, and the IRS settlement. Sen. Adam Schiff asked about the administration’s approach to investigations involving the president’s political opponents. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse described the IRS settlement terms as problematic given Blanche’s prior representation of Trump. Sen. Chris Coons centered his questions on the status of the settlement fund.

Blanche stated that he could not discuss ongoing cases or investigations. He disputed that he had personally negotiated the IRS settlement and described the proposed fund as inactive, with no funds disbursed and no commissioners appointed. He added that the Department of Justice would not revive the fund.

University of Richmond law professor Carl Tobias characterized Blanche’s testimony as composed while noting that several answers avoided direct engagement with the questions. Fragoso stated that Democratic questioning did not produce a conclusive result on the points raised.

Details of the IRS settlement agreement

The settlement resolved a lawsuit filed by Trump against the IRS concerning the disclosure of his tax returns by former contractor Charles Littlejohn. The agreement established a proposed $1.776 billion fund for individuals alleging political targeting by federal agencies and included provisions regarding audits of Trump and his adult children. Trump had initially sought $10 billion.

On July 14, 2026, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams ruled that the settlement could not be used to limit review of the tax filings, determining that the parties were not adverse. The ruling also referred attorneys to disciplinary authorities. Williams was appointed by former President Barack Obama.

Blanche told the committee that the fund would not proceed. He confirmed that the underlying settlement document remains in effect. Fragoso noted that Cornyn had raised questions stemming from the ruling and attributed the timing and content of the opinion to an effort to influence the confirmation process, citing errors in the opinion such as the misidentification of judges. Fragoso described Blanche’s response as consistent with the public record that the fund would not be implemented.

Questions on abortion medication litigation

Tillis and Cornyn asked Blanche about the case Louisiana v. FDA, which challenges changes made during the prior administration to the distribution of mifepristone, including by mail. Anti-abortion organizations had written to Blanche urging prompt action to settle the litigation.

Blanche stated that the Department of Justice does not agree with the prior administration’s position on the matter and would consider the senators’ concerns. He agreed to submit a written response to their letter. Fragoso indicated that a nominee would typically provide limited commitments on active litigation and that a thorough administrative record would be necessary for any regulatory change.

Release of Epstein-related documents

Democratic senators also asked about the Department of Justice’s release of Epstein files and the treatment of information concerning survivors. Blanche reported that nearly 3 million pages had been released and that the department was not aware of additional responsive material. He stated that evidence existed of trafficking of women by Epstein but that the department did not currently possess evidence that those individuals were trafficked to other men.

The committee is scheduled to hear from additional witnesses, including an Epstein survivor, on July 16. Republican senators directed more of their questions during the July 15 hearing to the IRS settlement, department operations, and the abortion medication case.

The confirmation process continues with the outside witness hearing and subsequent committee consideration.