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Senators waver on Todd Blanche confirmation amid Epstein files questions

newsJul 22, 20262510,373

Senator Lisa Murkowski remains undecided on confirming Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche as senators weigh his handling of Epstein-related materials and broader politicization of the Justice Department. Reporting from Politico and other outlets says the Justice Department has recently directed extra attention and funding to Alaska, a potential factor as Murkowski considers her vote. The New Yorker documents Blanche’s recent conduct: he has served as acting AG for more than eight weeks after Pam Bondi’s firing, was confirmed as deputy last year by a 52, 46 Senate vote, and has pursued high-profile, politically fraught actions including promoting a roughly $1.8 billion fund that would bar future I.R.S. audits of the Trump family. Legal critics and former officials have accused Blanche of transforming the DOJ into a partisan defense arm for the White House; over 100 former federal judges and multiple ethics complaints have been reported. Epstein-survivor advocacy and attorney Katie Phang have pressed Blanche to release remaining Epstein files; court filings and reporting say Blanche has resisted or delayed producing some documents and has sought relief from fines tied to production disputes. With Republican votes uncertain and another survivor testimony and committee processes ongoing, Blanche’s nomination faces material peril and the Senate has not scheduled a final confirmation vote.

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