Blanche apologises on Capitol Hill for Epstein files 'mistakes'

Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche faced a bipartisan grilling on Capitol Hill as he seeks permanent appointment. He addressed his relationship with Donald Trump, stating he was Trump's lawyer, not a friend. Blanche confirmed a controversial "anti-weaponisation fund" settlement with the IRS is dead. He apologized for "mistakes" made in the Justice Department's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, acknowledging issues with redactions and investigative efforts. Blanche also stated that, constitutionally, Donald Trump is not eligible to run for a third term as president.

Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche is undergoing a Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing for the position of Attorney General. The hearing focuses on concerns about his loyalty to President Trump and the potential impact on the Department of Justice's independence. Blanche, who previously served as Trump's personal lawyer, stated he is working to restore trust in the department. He is expected to be questioned on his role in prosecuting Trump's rivals, a civil settlement with the IRS shielding Trump from tax investigations, and the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Blanche defended the department's work on crime reduction and echoed Trump's claims of the DOJ being "weaponized" against him. His confirmation is uncertain, with potential opposition from Republican senators.

Todd Blanche, President Trump's nominee for Attorney General, faced tough bipartisan questioning from the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. Senators pressed him on the Justice Department's settlement of Trump's lawsuit against the IRS, which involved a now-abandoned $1.8 billion fund and an order granting Trump and his family businesses sweeping tax immunity for prior conduct. Blanche stated the fund was "dead" but acknowledged the settlement hadn't been formally rescinded, though Trump's lawyers had no plans to enforce it. He defended the tax immunity as standard practice, despite experts calling it unusual. Republican Senator John Cornyn expressed continued concerns, stating Blanche's answers had not yet secured his vote.

Todd Blanche is undergoing a Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing for the position of Attorney General. Nominated by Donald Trump, Blanche, formerly Trump's personal attorney and Deputy Attorney General, faces scrutiny over his tenure. Key concerns include the purging of career prosecutors, the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files with alleged redaction errors, and decisions made regarding January 6th convictions and a settlement involving tax return leaks. Senators are questioning his loyalty to Trump versus the Constitution and his oversight of the Justice Department's actions. Blanche's past as a registered Democrat and his recent role in representing Trump in criminal cases are also points of discussion.