Todd Blanche, Trump’s Attorney General Pick, Faces Crucial Hurdle After Rocky Hearing
NYT > U.S. > Politics — 2026-07-15 19:49:00 — www.nytimes.com
Trump’s Legal Maneuverings and DOJ Power Play Under Scrutiny in Blanche Confirmation Battle
President Trump’s vision of the Justice Department as an extension of his personal power is under renewed scrutiny as the Senate weighs the fate of Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general. The confirmation hearing, marked by partisan clashes and pointed questions, highlighted the president’s ongoing efforts to shield himself and his family from legal exposure and to reward political allies.
Trump’s Sweeping Immunity Demands and $1.8 Billion Fund
Central to the controversy is a two-part deal, approved by Blanche, that was intended to resolve Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of his tax returns. The deal included the creation of a $1.8 billion fund for so-called victims of Justice Department persecution and a related agreement granting Trump and his family broad immunity from tax investigations. Senator John Cornyn of Texas, a Republican recently ousted by a Trump-backed challenger, underscored that Trump “has not agreed in writing” to kill the fund, raising concerns about the president’s intentions and the lack of transparency.
DOJ as a Tool of Presidential Will
The hearing became a referendum on Trump’s approach to the Justice Department. Blanche, who has served as acting attorney general since Trump fired his predecessor for not prosecuting perceived enemies quickly enough, has played a key role in advancing Trump-ordered investigations of political opponents and protecting Trump’s interests in high-profile cases, including those related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Pardons and Political Loyalty
Trump’s mass clemency for supporters who attacked the Capitol on January 6, 2021, was another flashpoint. Blanche, when pressed, avoided expressing personal views but asserted Trump’s constitutional right to pardon whomever he chose. This stance aligns with Trump’s pattern of using presidential powers to reward loyalists and shield allies from legal consequences.
Attacks on Critics and the Press
The hearing also spotlighted Trump’s antagonism toward critics and the press. Blanche authorized subpoenas for New York Times journalists, justifying it by saying reporters were “material witnesses” to leaks of classified information. This aggressive posture reflects Trump’s broader hostility to media scrutiny and efforts to undermine press protections.
Conclusion
The confirmation fight over Todd Blanche is more than a personnel decision—it is a test of the Senate’s willingness to check Trump’s efforts to bend the Justice Department to his will. The president’s pursuit of sweeping immunity, his readiness to pardon violent supporters, and his use of DOJ resources for personal and political ends remain at the heart of the controversy. As the Senate deliberates, the stakes extend far beyond one nomination, raising fundamental questions about the rule of law and the independence of American justice.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/15/us/politics/todd-blanche-attorney-general-confirmation.html