Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche faces Senate confirmation hearing

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and other lawmakers on Wednesday introduced a second measure that would allow for more lawsuits against the Justice Department over its handling of the files related to Jeffrey Epstein.

Massie, as well as four other congressional lawmakers, introduced the Epstein Files Transparency Act II.

The bill would give standing to state attorneys general, the victims of Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirators, and members of Congress to challenge the Department of Justice (DOJ) in court for the DOJ’s failure to comply with the disclosure of materials required by the original Epstein Files Transparency Act.

Since the Epstein Files Transparency Act was signed into law in November 2025, the Justice Department has "flagrantly and consistently ignored EFTA’s disclosure requirements,” said Massie. “The Department of Justice continues to unlawfully withhold over 3 million Epstein files that should be released to the public,."

"In addition, the DOJ is unlawfully maintaining heavy redactions on the files it is releasing," he said. "State attorneys general and victims should have the right to sue the Attorney General of the United States to compel compliance with a transparency law President Trump signed."

If the House does not consider the new bill within seven legislative days, a discharge petition will be circulated, a news release states.

The Justice Department has defended its handling of the Epstein files. Blanche, who faced scrutiny over the release of the files during Wednesday's confirmation hearing, said “mistakes” were made.

President Donald Trump has fired U.S. Attorney Roger Rogoff, Todd Blanche said Wednesday, a day after he was appointed by judges of the Western District of Washington.

“District court judges can appoint a temporary U.S. Attorney, and POTUS can fire them," Blanche wrote on X. "WDWA judges abandoned the time-honored process of consultation with the administration so that the selected U.S. Attorney is qualified to serve in the administration. Roger Rogoff has been fired by the President.”

Rogoff was dismissed less than an hour after he was sworn in as the new U.S. attorney in Seattle.

Speaking with KING 5, Rogoff called the firing "not unexpected, but disappointing."

Democrats and survivors of Jeffrey Epstein called for lawmakers to reject the confirmation of Todd Blanche as the next U.S. attorney general, citing the Justice Department's controversial release of materials tied to the investigation into the deceased financier.

Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., urged the Senate Judiciary Committee to reject Blanche following the first day of hearings on Wednesday.

"He really tried to claim that this administration has been transparent about the Epstein investigation," Schumer said during a news conference. "Transparent? Blanche doesn't get to talk about transparency when he's still withholding three million pages of the Epstein files. Stop that transparency talk... where are the files?"

The release of files related to Epstein has been heavily criticized over withheld records and redactions.

"As an American and Jeffrey Epstein survivor, I wouldn't want Todd Blanche to represent the justice of this country," Epstein survivor Andrea Sterling said.

Another survivor, Laura Blue Magee, said the DOJ's release of the Epstein files opened the survivors' identities to being exposed.

"For many of us, the DOJ's redactions were not merely inadequate," Magee said. "They were another violation reopening wounds we had fought to keep closed. We are also alarmed that key investigative leads appear to have been dismissed."

"He has made it very clear who he's here to protect, and it is the rich and powerful," said Amanda Roberts, sister of Epstein survivor Virginia Roberts Giuffre. "It isn't just about a singular instance of abuse. It's about choosing who our leadership is and what direction our nation will be headed in if we decide to choose a former prosecutor who has looked at the largest investigation against sex trafficking and said that there is nothing to see here."

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., praised Todd Blanche, saying the acting attorney general handled himself well during Wednesday's confirmation hearing.

“I think Mr. Blanche is a good lawyer. I like his demeanor. I think he's honest. I think he's frank... I don't see any reason not to confirm Mr. Blanche,” Kennedy said during an appearance on CNN.

Kennedy noted that getting support from Democrats could be an uphill battle for Blanche.

“I doubt he'll get many Democratic votes on the committee. I don't think my Democratic friends on the committee dislike Mr. Blanche,” he said. “I think they just dislike the president, and this is their way of getting at the president by going through his proposed attorney general, but I thought he did a pretty job today.”

Several witnesses are slated to testify before lawmakers considering whether to support Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general.

Among the witnesses are former Attorney General John Ashcroft, who served under President George W. Bush; Jon Adler, the president of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association Foundation; and Jennifer Bos, the mother of Megan Bos, an Illinois woman who was allegedly killed by an illegal immigrant.

Dani Bensky, a survivor of Jeffrey Epstein, is also called to testify, alongside Elizabeth Oyer, a former Justice Department pardon attorney who was fired by Blanche.

Oyer has argued that she was dismissed just one day after refusing to endorse the restoration of a man's gun rights following a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction.

Lawmakers pressed Todd Blanche on subpoenas issued on Friday that seek to force New York Times reporters to testify before a federal grand jury, raising concerns about the possible weaponization of the Justice Department.

“I happen to believe it’s extremely important to protect the right of the press to have confidential sources in order to get out information that is absolutely in the public interest,” Welch said. “Do you support Mr. Patel’s efforts to subpoena and get reporters under the grill to disclose who their confidential sources are?”

“The Department of Justice requires that I authorize it, which I did,” Blanche responded. “And those reporters, we’re not targeting reporters, they’re material witnesses, just like a reporter would be a material witness to a car crash. They are witnesses.”

Blanche said investigators want to question the reporters on who provided them with classified national security information."

“They’re material witnesses, just like a reporter would be a material witness to a car crash,” Blanche said.

The Senate Committee on the Judiciary nomination hearing for Todd Blanche to be the next U.S. attorney general will reconvene on Thursday, said Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa.

"We'll reconvene tomorrow here at 9 a.m. for an executive business meeting. And hopefully, that doesn't take very long," Grassley said.

Following Thursday's meeting, a panel of outside witnesses will testify before the committee.

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., told acting Attorney General Todd Blanche during his confirmation hearing Wednesday that former Special Counsel Jack Smith “absolutely should be investigated.” 

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, had announced earlier Wednesday that records provided to the committee showed Smith’s team obtained and reviewed text messages involving 44 current and former lawmakers as part of the Trump election probe. 

Operation Arctic Frost, the Biden-era FBI probe that Grassley says formed the basis of Smith’s election case against Trump, initially examined the alleged false electors scheme following the 2020 election. 

"Here is a record. I'm going to read it to you. A record of Jack Smith's responses under oath now to members of Congress. He has asked, question, as it relates to members and their staffs and senators. It's just the toll records as far as you remember. Smith. That is my recollection. Question, did the records that you requested include the content of text messages? Smith answer, no. Now, maybe there's some nuance I'm missing here, but it sounds a lot to me like this guy didn't tell the truth. Have you thought about investigating this guy for perjury?” Hawley asked Blanche. 

“We take testimony in front of this body very seriously. Yes,” Blanche responded. 

“Good. Well, I think he absolutely should be investigated. I think he absolutely should be prosecuted, if at all possible. And based on his responses under oath, I think he should be,” Hawley said. 

Fox News' Ashley J. DiMella contributed to this post.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche defended FBI Director Kash Patel after an "obnoxious" question about his alleged drinking and other so-called questionable behavior.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., questioned Blanch about his confidence in Patel to head the FBI.

"How long do you intend to PUT UP with that Kash Patel character? Are you good with his airplane jaunts, are you confident he's not drinking on the job? Are you sure none of his travel is pretext for vacation activities like, snorkeling, Olympics or visiting girlfriends? Are you sure he knows what he's doing?! Do you vouch for him? Are you willing to look at whether he lied to this committee?"

"That is an extraordinarily obnoxious question, senator," Blanche replied. "I have full faith in Director Patel and the work he's doing everyday."

"Great, you get to own that," Whitehouse responded.

Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, asked Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Wednesday a question she previously has faced criticism for during confirmation hearings. 

Hirono was mocked last year on social media over her opening questions to Interior Secretary nominee Doug Burgum during his confirmation hearing.   

"As part of my responsibilities to ensure the fitness of nominees before any of the committees on which I sit, I ask the following two initial questions," Hirono said to Burgum on Thursday. "First is, since you became a legal adult, have you ever made unwanted requests for sexual favors or committed any verbal or physical harassment or assault of a sexual nature?" 

"No, senator, I have not," Burgum responded. 

"Have you ever faced discipline or entered into a settlement related to this kind of conduct?" Hirono then asked. 

"I have not," Burgum said.   

Hirono then used the same line of questioning on Wednesday against Blanche, who is seeking to become the Justice Department’s next attorney general. 

Like Burgum, he responded no. 

Fox News Digital’s Andrew Mark Miller contributed to this post. 

Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., said Wednesday that he would vote no for Todd Blanche as the Justice Department’s next attorney general. 

“His actions make it pretty clear that his job, as he sees it, is to represent the personal interests of the president, as opposed to the constitutional interests of the country,” Welch said about Blanche, who is currently the acting attorney general. 

"I think the question is who does the attorney general nominee work for? That's really the question I think all of us have to ask. There's just a consistent record of him doing prosecutions that are motivated by President Trump's vengeance against his political adversaries,” Welch continued, speaking before Blanche’s confirmation hearing. 

“I'm voting no. And it's based on the fact that he's got this replete record of prosecuting on the basis of the personal preferences of the president,” the Democrat concluded. 

Fox News' Caroline Miller contributed to this post.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Wednesday during his confirmation hearing that the Justice Department will do “everything that we can” to push back against sanctuary jurisdictions, which limit local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. 

"Will you use every tool that you have in your toolbox to go after these sanctuary jurisdictions?” Blanche was asked by Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo. 

"There are thousands of examples of our law enforcement agents being put at risk because instead of going into a jail to arrest somebody or take somebody who's here illegally, even with a final order of deportation, that individual gets released in the community and it puts everybody in the community at risk,” Blanche responded. 

“It puts law enforcement at risk. It's not consistent with the law. And so, yes, I definitely pledge to you that we will do everything that we can at the department to combat that,” he added.  

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., on Wednesday that he agrees with him that Jeffrey Epstein was “a pig.” 

“Well, first, we can agree, can we not? That Mr. Epstein was a pig,” Kennedy asked Blanche during his confirmation hearing. 

“Yes,” Blanche responded. 

“Other than to himself, who, if anyone else, did Mr. Epstein traffic young women to?” Kennedy then asked Blanche.  

"From what we learned -- from what we know, so when we know I mean what's in the FBI files and what's in the DOJ files. We did not identify evidence. And by we, I mean career prosecutors. Not me, not my leadership, but career prosecutors in New York and career prosecutors in Florida who worked this case hard, did identify other participants, some of whom, as has been discussed, were also victims themselves of Mr. Epstein,” Blanche said. 

“But we did not have evidence, as of now, of other men who were, that were trafficked, that Epstein helped traffic. That does not mean it didn't happen. And I want to be clear about that. It just means that we have evidence that the FBI gathered and that the Department of Justice gathered, and that's the body of work that we have to work with. Which is why I said earlier, if there's anybody out there, victim or otherwise, that has information, I beg them to come forward,” Blanche added. 

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Wednesday that “the Constitution gives the president the full power to pardon anybody for any reason he wants” when asked by Sen. Dick Durbin about the president’s past pardons of Jan. 6 defendants. 

“Do you think that blanket pardon by the president of January 6th rioters was the right thing to do?” Durbin, D-Ill., asked Blanche during his confirmation hearing in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee. 

“I think that this the Constitution gives the president the full power to pardon anybody for any reason he wants. And so I don't question President Trump's authority or as a decision to do so on January 20,” Blanche responded. 

“You don't question his decision?” Durbin then asked him. 

“As I said, President Trump, under our Constitution, just like President Biden, has the authority to pardon anybody for any federal crime. And that's something that every president -- that's a privilege every president’s afforded, including President Biden and President Trump,” Blanche told him. 

“Well, I can tell you, he may have had the authority to do it, but I think someone should have grabbed him by the arm and said, ‘stop, you can't release all of those rioters. Some of them actually physically assaulted policemen in the Capitol,” Durbin responded. “Some of them were guilty of crimes, serious crimes before that day. And for the president to give a blanket pardon to these individuals. It's something that I don't think you can explain to the American people. You certainly can't explain it to the policemen who almost lost their lives because of these attackers.” 

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said during his confirmation hearing Wednesday that there are “no closed investigations” when it comes to Jeffrey Epstein.

"I want to make sure the American people know that this administration, when it comes to Jeffrey Epstein, has been more transparent than any past administration, than Biden was, or anybody else. And what we did is we complied with the law. And if we learned a new material, we will most certainly, review it and make it available,” Blanche said.

"When it comes to the victims of this horrible man, we will never, never not talk to victims. We will never not do everything we can to prosecute anybody that committed any crimes against any of these women. So that narrative is false. We have spoken with over 30 representatives of dozens and dozens of victims, since this process started,” he continued.

“Any victim, if they're here today, I would encourage them or their lawyers to meet with the FBI. We will 100% investigate. There are no closed investigations. If we learn today, if we learn next week, if we learn next month that there's an individual that we can investigate, indict and prosecute out of the Epstein files, you better believe it we will. And so, we worked hard, the hard working lawyers within the department to do the right thing to comply with the [Epstein Files Transparency] act and we did and we will continue to do so,” Blanche also said.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, in his opening statement of his confirmation hearing to become the Justice Department’s next attorney general, told senators he is there to “earn your trust once more.” 

“Seventeen months ago, I sat at this table as the nominee to be the deputy attorney general, and I told you that serving in the Department of Justice was my American dream,” Blanche told the Senate Judiciary Committee. “Since then, I have helped lead it, first as deputy and now as acting attorney general. And I'm here today to earn your trust once more.” 

"I've lived the American dream. I waited tables to get through college, moved to New York with my wife and two young kids, went to law school at night, read textbooks on the late train home while I work days as a paralegal at the U.S. Attorney's office,” Blanche said.  

“From that start, I became a prosecutor and spent nine years prosecuting violent gangs and drug dealers. I rose through the ranks of the Department of Justice as a line prosecutor, then a division chief. Then as of last year, deputy attorney general and now acting attorney general,” Blanche continued. “But I did not take that path for a title. I took it to make a difference for American families and the towns they call home.” 

“I am exceedingly grateful to President Trump for his trust and to my family, who have carried me through every long day and late night,” Blanche also said. 

"I'm proud of what we've done to help American families see safer streets, and to have a fair shot at the life they're working to build. None of this is a Republican or Democrat issue. Every senator here has constituents who just want to be safe," Blanche added. "The men and women of this department are the finest people I have ever worked with and leading them is the honor of my professional life. We are keeping America safe and we are just getting started. I love this country. I love the Department of Justice.”

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, paid tribute to the late Sen. Lindsey Graham at the beginning of Todd Blanche’s confirmation hearing on Wednesday. 

"I want to acknowledge the obvious empty seat at the dais here, next to the chairman,” Durbin said. “The committee is mourning the loss of our friend and colleague, Senator Lindsey Graham, former chairman and ranking member of this committee.” 

“I served on the committee with Senator Graham since he joined the Senate in 2003,” Durbin continued. “I'm going to cherish my memories of both our fierce partisan battles and our landmark bipartisan agreements. He was a trusted friend." 

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's confirmation hearing in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee is now underway. 

"Mr. Blanche, thank you for being here. As I've said before, this is one of the most important offices in our country,” Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, the committee’s chairman, said at the start of the hearing. “You went through a rough Senate confirmation a little over a year ago, so you know all about it.” 

The Senate has already judged your fitness for high office and confirmed you as the department's second in command. Today, we consider you for promotion, and we're not starting out from a blank slate,” Grassley continued. “You have a track record. My Democrat colleagues have relentlessly attacked the department, and your and President Trump's leadership, they've called the department ‘a disgrace’ and suggested the agency is broken. Their media allies and activist networks have echoed that message.” 

“Are these assertions correct? Let's put aside partisan criticism for a moment and address the evidence. The department’s primary duty is to enforce our nation's laws and to keep Americans safe. So how is the department stacking up? The answer is for those who care to judge fairly, it's a record of success,” Grassley added. 

“The United States has the lowest murder rate since 1900. The FBI has captured eight of the top ten most wanted fugitives. Violent crime arrests by the FBI are up 184%. More than 849 individuals have been disrupted from conducting terrorist attacks. The ATF has seized more than 44,000 illegal firearms. That is not a failure,” Grassley said. 

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., is calling Wednesday for the rejection of Todd Blanche as the Justice Department's next attorney general. 

Jeffries wrote on X that Blanche, who currently is the acting attorney general, “is deeply unfit to serve as Attorney General” and to “reject him.”

“Todd Blanche is Donald Trump’s personal attorney who: 1. Created the corrupt $1.8 billion slush fund. 2. Weaponized the Department of Justice to persecute Americans. 3. Presided over a massive cover-up,” Jeffries added.

Jeffries' post came before Blanche's grilling before the Senate Judiciary Committee began Wednesday morning.

Washington D.C.'s entrenched politicos sprang into action last week before key confirmation hearings in the U.S. Senate to try and sink President Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general.

Roughly 1,200 Department of Justice (DOJ) alumni signed off on a letter on Tuesday sent to high-ranking Senate Judiciary Committee leaders demanding they reject elevating Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche as he prepares for confirmation hearings on July 15 and 16.

Blanche, who previously served as former AG Pam Bondi's No. 2, has been tapped by the 47th president to do the job permanently, sending the former bureaucrats into a frenzy.

The signatories of the letter trying to stop the process bill themselves as former DOJ employees from Republican and Democratic administrations, which is true. But even a cursory look at some of the names reveals the letter's true hyperpartisan nature.

"This list is a who's who of partisan activists, including liberal politicians such as former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who saw crime drastically rise under her tenure, Trump impeachment witness Pamela Karlan, and multiple former disgruntled Biden administration officials, some of whom were directly involved in the weaponization of the Department," a DOJ spokesperson told Fox News Digital of the letter.

A former White House official quipped that, "It looks like they passed a petition around the MS NOW green room."

President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post ahead of Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s confirmation hearing that “every Republican Senator should vote to CONFIRM Todd Blanche, ASAP!” 

“Todd Blanche is doing a PHENOMENAL job as Acting Attorney General of the United States. Under Todd’s incredible leadership at DOJ, Murder is down to the LOWEST level since 1900, and we just saw the biggest one year drop in RECORDED HISTORY,” Trump wrote on Tuesday. 

“Todd has fought hard for Religious Liberty, ended the Weaponization of our Justice System, protected FREE SPEECH, kept Men OUT of Women’s Sports, strengthened Election Integrity, and gone to all-out-WAR against Fraud like nobody in the History of the Department of Justice. He is tough, brilliant, and 100% LOYAL to our Constitution, and the American People,” the president added. 

“When the Corrupt Biden ‘Injustice’ Department and Radical Left Prosecutors tried to throw me in jail, and interfered in our Historic 2024 Presidential Campaign, Todd stood by my side and fought off the Lawfare,” Trump also said. “He is a great lawyer, always very fair, and every Republican Senator should vote to CONFIRM Todd Blanche, ASAP!”

Attorney General nominee Todd Blanche will face senators Wednesday in a high-stakes confirmation hearing that will test Republican unity on the Senate Judiciary Committee in the first major nomination fight since the sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham.

"My colleagues and I are working to fill Senator Graham’s seat on the Senate Judiciary Committee before the Committee votes on Todd Blanche’s nomination next week," Tennessee Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn told Fox News Digital.

"I look forward to confirming Mr. Blanche as Attorney General so he can continue his great work to crack down on crime, eradicate the two tiers of justice, and wipe out fraud. That’s exactly what Lindsey would’ve wanted us to do to honor his legacy," she added.

Republicans are navigating their first major nomination battle without Graham—a former Judiciary Committee chairman whose courtroom-style questioning and command of confirmation fights made him one of the GOP's most influential voices.

Blanche has been a staunch ally of President Donald Trump, first serving as his personal defense attorney before helping lead his criminal defense against cases Trump and his allies denounced as politically motivated.

He was appointed by Trump as Deputy Attorney General when the president returned to office before being tapped to fill former Attorney General Pam Bondi’s shoes.

Several key groups are coming to the support of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche as he navigates Senate confirmation to officially become the successor to Pam Bondi, according to the office of Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Support cited by Grassley's office includes 670,000 sworn officers, 300 angel families, families who lost a loved one to crimes committed by undocumented immigrants and 100 bipartisan U.S. attorneys and DOJ officials.

The office highlighted a statement from 23 attorneys general, among other outpourings of support.

"At a time when Americans expect their government to protect communities from violent crime, narcotics trafficking, human trafficking, terrorism and organized criminal activity, Todd Blanche has shown the ability to deliver real results. His record reflects a commitment to public safety, vigorous enforcement of federal law and effective stewardship of the Department of Justice… we urge the Senate to swiftly confirm Todd Blanche as United States Attorney General," the statement said.

Support received by Grassley highlighted Blanche’s work as acting attorney general and, in particular, his aggressive stance toward enforcement.

Blanche took over the Department of Justice after Bondi left the role in April.

President Donald Trump dismissed her after what many critics saw as a botched handling of the Epstein Files, overpromising transparency on who may have facilitated the sex trafficking crimes of Jeffrey Epstein and then underdelivering.

Fox News Digital's Peter D'Abrosca contributed to this post.