WATCH LIVE: Todd Blanche testifies in confirmation hearing for attorney general

Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-live-todd-blanche-testifies-in-confirmation-hearing-for-attorney-general Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH LIVE: Todd Blanche testifies in confirmation hearing for attorney general Politics Jul 14, 2026 5:48 PM EDT WASHINGTON (AP) — Todd Blanche is heading into a high-stakes test this week in his bid to become attorney general, with key Republicans still undecided about whether to back his nomination. Blanche's confirmation hearing starts at 9 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, July 15. Watch live in the video player above. Blanche will need the support of all GOP lawmakers on the Senate Judiciary Committee in order to advance his nomination to lead the Justice Department, which he has done in an acting capacity since April. READ MORE: What to know about Todd Blanche, Trump's pick for acting attorney general Blanche is expected to face scrutiny over issues including the department's investigations into President Donald Trump's foes, a contentious deal to settle Trump's IRS lawsuit and its handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files when he appears before the committee for his confirmation hearing on Wednesday. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Here's a look at key topics likely to dominate the hearing. 'I love you, sir:' Blanche & Trump's close relationship from the courtroom to DOJ Blanche came into the public spotlight as the lead attorney defending Trump in his hush money trial in New York. The close relationship they forged then — and the unwavering loyalty Blanche has shown to Trump since joining the Justice Department last year — is likely to command the spotlight at the hearing. Trump has made clear his desire to use the Justice Department to pursue his political opponents. And Blanche has accelerated investigations into perceived foes of the president since Pam Bondi was fired after failing to deliver criminal cases against Trump's political enemies. Democrats say Blanche is acting as if he were still Trump's personal attorney. In a social media post on Tuesday, Trump praised Blanche's record at the Justice Department, calling him "tough, brilliant, and 100% LOYAL to our Constitution, and the American People." "He is a great lawyer, always very fair, and every Republican Senator should vote to CONFIRM Todd Blanche, ASAP!" Trump wrote. Blanche has strongly rejected accusations that the administration has weaponized the department for political purposes, saying in an ABC interview in February that "there's not a whiff of political partisanship in what we're doing." The Justice Department has historically prided itself on independence from the White House when it comes to prosecutorial decisions. But Blanche has insisted he sees no problem with the president's interest in Justice Department matters and says he has felt no pressure to placate Trum