Tag

Todd Blanche

All articles tagged with #todd blanche

politics1 hour ago•5 min saved

Epstein Survivors Take Aim at Blanche After DOJ Meeting Ahead of AG Vote

Epstein survivors and relatives blasted acting Attorney General Todd Blanche after a face-to-face DOJ meeting ahead of his nomination to be attorney general, calling him condescending and accusing him of treating the session as a mere checkbox to win confirmation. Sen. Thom Tillis had pressed for the meeting, and with Democrats opposed to Blanche and Republicans divided on his confirmation, his fate could hinge on a handful of votes in the Judiciary Committee, especially after a vacancy left by Sen. Lindsey Graham. The DOJ said the discussion was productive, while Blanche acknowledged not all interactions were cordial as he emphasized pursuing prosecutions to deliver justice and accountability for Epstein-related matters.

via CNBC|

#doj #epstein #epstein-survivors

politics22 hours ago•5 min saved

GOP Doubt Clouds Blanche Confirmation as Epstein Victims Meeting Looms

Two Republican senators on the Senate Judiciary Committee remain undecided on confirming Todd Blanche as U.S. attorney general, risking the nomination's progress. Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis cite concerns about reviving the $1.8 billion DOJ “Anti-Weaponization” fund from a Trump IRS settlement, with Tillis wanting Blanche to meet Epstein survivors before voting. Blanche has scheduled such a meeting at the DOJ, while Cornyn pressed him on the fund's language that could allow revival. If both GOP holdouts oppose and Democrats back Blanche, the committee could stall and prevent a full Senate vote. Blanche has been acting attorney general since April after Pam Bondi was fired and previously served as deputy AG; Epstein survivors have criticized his handling of related disclosures.)

via CNBC|

#doj-anti-weaponization-fund #epstein-victims #politics

politics1 day ago•8 min saved

Trump dumps court-appointed Seattle U.S. attorney minutes after appointment

The Trump administration fired Roger Rogoff, the court-appointed U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington in Seattle, just minutes after his swearing-in. Acting AG Todd Blanche criticized the appointment process, while Rogoff says he may challenge the firing. The incident highlights tensions over how DOJ appointments are made and follows related moves in other districts.

via Fox News|

#firing #politics #roger-rogoff

politics1 day ago•8 min saved

Blanche battles questions over Trump ties as Nolan Wells audio surfaces and AI-use limits rise

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche defended his independence during a Senate confirmation hearing, acknowledging Trump as his boss while facing questions about his past work for the president and the Epstein files; the Morning Rundown also highlights new audio in the Nolan Wells case revealing friends pleading for help as their boat sank, and notes that several companies are starting to restrict employee use of AI tools.

via NBC News|

#ai #epstein-files #nolan-wells

politics1 day ago•46 min saved

GOP accelerates plan to shrink the Education Department amid a Capitol Hill funding and confirmation blitz

Republicans push a 10-bill package to permanently move Education Department programs to other federal agencies, effectively downsizing the department, while Capitol Hill buzzes with confirmation hearings (notably Todd Blanche’s bid to be attorney general amid Epstein-file scrutiny) and a sprint to finalize a $95 billion reconciliation package covering defense, farm aid, and other items, along with ongoing debates on Israel aid, vaccine policy, and crypto regulation.

via Politico|

#budget-reconciliation #capitol-hill #education-department

politics1 day ago•7 min saved

Blanche’s Path to AG Depends on Cornyn’s Vote

Todd Blanche’s Senate confirmation hearing shows a potential GOP hurdle: Sen. John Cornyn remains undecided, and his vote could determine whether Blanche advances to the floor. With Sen. Thom Tillis wavering but open to persuading colleagues by declaring the $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund moot, Democrats ramp up pressure while the White House weighs lobbying. The fund dispute and related settlement questions could ultimately decide Blanche’s fate before an August floor vote.

via Politico|

#attorney-general #confirmation-hearing #john-cornyn

us-politics2 days ago•11 min saved

Blanche grilled on Trump ties and Epstein files in confirmation hearing

Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche faced Senate confirmation questions about his independence from Trump, the DOJ’s handling of the Epstein file redactions (Blanche said they reviewed over six million pages and fixed about 1% of redactions, and he apologized for the mistakes), and the now-defunct $1.7bn anti-weaponisation fund; he also said Trump isn’t eligible to run in 2028. Republicans expressed support despite concerns, and the Judiciary Committee will decide whether to move his nomination to the full Senate.

via BBC|

#anti-weaponisation-fund #epstein-files #redactions

politics2 days ago•106 min saved

Blanche Confession Triggers DOJ Fallout Ahead of Confirmation Hearing

Sen. Dick Durbin claims acting AG Todd Blanche admitted the $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund was a mistake, just as Blanche’s Senate confirmation hearing approaches; the DOJ disputed Durbin’s characterizations as out of context private remarks, while critics portray Blanche as leading a punitive DOJ effort against Trump foes. The slush fund faced bipartisan backlash and was abandoned, a backdrop to ongoing questions about Blanche’s role and the administration’s justice department strategy.

via The Daily Beast|

#department-of-justice #dick-durbin #donald-j-trump

politics2 days ago•28 min saved

Trump nominees grilled over election integrity and DOJ independence at confirmation hearings

Live confirmation hearings put acting AG Todd Blanche on the hot seat over DOJ independence, the controversial anti-weaponization fund (which he calls “dead”), and litigation around abortion pills, while also prompting questions about election integrity with Jay Clayton and other nominees, and drawing attention to vaccine policy debates at the CDC/ASPR hearings.

via CNN|

#confirmation-hearings #doj-independence #election-integrity

politics2 days ago•31 min saved

Blanche grilled over Epstein files and Trump ties at confirmation hearing

At the Senate confirmation hearing for Todd Blanche to be attorney general, lawmakers pressed him about his past work for Trump, the DOJ’s release of Epstein files (described as a Herculean task with about 1% of redactions corrected), and policy questions from election integrity to a now-voided $1.8bn anti-weaponisation fund. Blanche defended the process, said no one is above the law, and indicated he would connect Epstein survivors with counsel rather than meeting them directly, while stressing Trump-era actions and his independence. The session featured sharp questions from Democrats and Republicans and protests outside the room.

via BBC|

#confirmation-hearing #department-of-justice #epstein-files

politics2 days ago•4 min saved

Trump Ally Blanche Heads to Senate for Attorney General Confirmation Amid DOJ Turmoil

Todd Blanche, a longtime Trump confidant and former deputy attorney general, is set to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee for confirmation as attorney general. The article notes his aggressive role in steering the DOJ to a Trump-aligned agenda, including purges of career staff, handling of January 6 prosecutions, controversial Epstein-file releases, and the end of a $1.8 billion fund tied to a tax-return leak lawsuit, all amid significant opposition from former DOJ personnel and ethical scrutiny.

via The Guardian|

#attorney-general #doj #epstein

politics2 days ago•20 min saved

Blanche faces Senate test for AG post amid GOP scrutiny

Former Trump defense attorney Todd Blanche heads to a high-stakes Senate confirmation hearing to become attorney general, confronting skepticism from GOP lawmakers over his leadership and the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein files and a shelved payout fund that could influence support for his nomination.

via The Washington Post|

#attorney-general #capitol-hill #confirmation-hearings

politics2 days ago•7 min saved

Blanche Sees Broad Law-Enforcement Support Ahead of DOJ Confirmation

Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche has won wide backing from law-enforcement groups and 23 attorneys general ahead of a Senate confirmation hearing to become the next U.S. Attorney General. Supporters, including the Fraternal Order of Police and various DOJ alumni, tout his public-safety record and leadership after he took over the DOJ, created the National Fraud Enforcement Division, and highlighted gains in crime enforcement and security. Blanche faces the confirmation vote as advocates urge swift action while he testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

via Fox News|

#attorney-general #fraternal-order-of-police #law-enforcement

politics2 days ago•9 min saved

Judge Finds Blanche Was Acting as Trump’s Ally in the DOJ Case

A federal judge faulted acting Attorney General Todd Blanche for aligning the DOJ with Donald Trump’s interests in the IRS tax‑return leak lawsuit, calling Blanche’s arguments weak and noting a settlement that created an $1.8 billion anti‑weaponization fund. The judge reopened the case, demanded sanctions, and cast doubt on Blanche’s suitability for the AG post as he faces a Senate confirmation hearing.

via Slate Magazine|

#capitol-riot #department-of-justice #donald-trump

politics3 days ago•41 min saved

Blanche poised for glide-path confirmation amid Epstein and weaponization fund controversy

Republican insiders say Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche has a glide path to confirmation, despite baggage from his past client list and the Epstein-file release controversy. The death of the 1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund and Blanche’s pledge to abandon it have quieted GOP opposition, but undecided senators Tillis and Cornyn still must be won. Democrats will press Blanche on independence and judgment, but insiders expect confirmation before the August recess.

via Yahoo News Canada|

#epstein #politics #republicans