Senate Judiciary Committee sets Blanche confirmation hearing for next month

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday set its date for acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s confirmation hearing next month, where he will testify about his record in the Trump administration. A spokesperson for Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley told Politico that attorney general nominee Blanche will appear before the panel on July 15, followed by outside witnesses who will testify July 16. The move means Blanche could be confirmed before the August recess.
President Donald Trump nominated Blanche for the role last week. He has been serving in the position in an acting capacity since former Attorney General Pam Bondi was fired in April. Blanche previously served as Bondi’s deputy.
The acting attorney general met with Grassley on Monday, where the chairman spoke favorably about Blanche’s career in a statement, but noted that he was still waiting for the Justice Department to produce “some documents” he requested.
“I appreciated the opportunity to sit down again with Todd Blanche, who’s spent the last year and a half supporting President Trump’s mission of law and order as Deputy Attorney General and now Acting Attorney General,” Grassley said. “Blanche is prepared to build on that success and continue working hard to keep American families safe as the next Attorney General.”
North Carolina GOP Sen. Thom Tillis also signaled Tuesday that he would be okay with Blanche as attorney general, but said he did still have some questions before he would officially approve the nomination. 
Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn, who has been skeptical of making Blanche attorney general, has not committed to confirming the nominee and previously said his largest concern is Blanche’s history as Trump’s former personal lawyer.
Blanche acknowledged his work as Trump’s personal lawyer in his Senate questionnaire, noting his role in representing Trump in the Stormy Daniels hush money trial and former Special Counsel Jack Smith’s cases, which he listed among his most significant.
He also highlighted his role in litigating the administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act to justify deportations and the fate of the new White House ballroom.
Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.

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