Senator Adam Schiff, D-Calif., questioned Attorney General nominee Todd Blanche during the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on Wednesday, pressing him on his previous representation of former President Donald Trump and his views on the independence of the Justice Department.
Schiff, who previously served as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and led impeachment proceedings against Trump, focused much of his questioning on whether Blanche would commit to allowing career prosecutors to pursue investigations without political interference.
"The American people need to know that the Department of Justice will follow the law and not serve as an instrument of political retribution," Schiff said during the hearing. "Can you give this committee concrete assurances that you will protect the independence of the career staff who investigate and prosecute cases?"
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive Democrats and their allies have raised concerns about Blanche's nomination, citing his work defending Trump in multiple criminal matters including hush money proceedings in New York. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he would oppose the nomination.
"Mr. Blanche has spent years serving one client — Donald Trump," Schiff stated. "The question before this committee is whether someone whose entire legal career of late has been devoted to protecting one man can be trusted to serve all Americans equally."
Civil rights organizations including the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights sent a letter to Senate Judiciary Committee members urging them to reject Blanche's nomination, arguing his prior statements questioning the fairness of Trump's prosecutions demonstrated he would not enforce the law impartially.
What the Right Is Saying
Republicans have defended Blanche as a qualified jurist with extensive experience in federal criminal defense. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., praised Blanche's credentials and called him "exceptionally well-qualified" for the position.
"Todd Blanche is one of the most respected defense attorneys in this country," Graham said during opening remarks. "He has represented clients across the political spectrum, and his representation of former President Trump does not disqualify him from serving as attorney general."
White House officials pointed to Blanche's 15 years of federal court experience and his work as a partner at prominent law firms before entering private defense practice. They argued he would bring independence and integrity to the department.
Conservative legal scholars have noted that attorneys routinely represent clients across the political spectrum, and past representation should not automatically disqualify someone from government service.
What the Numbers Show
Blanche served as lead defense counsel for Trump in a New York criminal trial resulting in a conviction on 34 felony counts. He previously represented Trump in federal classified documents proceedings that ended without resolution before the 2024 election. The Senate Judiciary Committee has not rejected an attorney general nominee since 1987, when Robert Bork's nomination failed amid partisan opposition.
Confirmation of Cabinet-level nominees requires a simple majority vote in the full Senate. Republicans hold a 53-47 majority, meaning Blanche could afford to lose only two Republican votes if all Democrats oppose his confirmation.
The Bottom Line
The confirmation hearing marks the beginning of what promises to be a contentious process for one of the most consequential Cabinet positions. Schiff's questioning reflected broader Democratic concerns that Trump administration nominees may prioritize loyalty over institutional norms.
Blanche is expected to face additional scrutiny in written questions submitted after the hearing. A committee vote could come as early as next week if scheduling permits. The full Senate confirmation vote would follow, likely along party lines.