The Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, chaired by Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and titled “Oversight of Jack Smith’s Abuse of Authority and the Targeting of Republicans and Related Matters,” delivered explosive exchanges as Republicans pressed Smith over his team’s seizure of communications from 44 members of Congress during the 2020 election investigation.

Smith showed no remorse. In his prepared opening statement, he said he “stand[s] by my decisions as special counsel,” including his decision to charge Trump, arguing the investigation “developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump engaged in serious crimes against our nation.”

“If asked whether to prosecute a former president today based on the same facts, I would do so regardless of whether that president was a Republican or a Democrat.”

President Trump has blasted Smith since the indictments were first unsealed in 2023, calling Smith a “deranged lunatic” and a “Trump hater.” Trump characterized the investigation as a “WITCH HUNT!”

The hearing exploded when Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) launched a fierce interrogation. Kennedy grilled Smith on his career, character, and political leanings, repeatedly asking him to define terms like “arrogant” and “self-righteous,” and bringing up Smith’s wife’s past work on a documentary about former First Lady Michelle Obama.

Kennedy then pivoted to Attorney General Merrick Garland, sarcastically asking Smith if he believed in the “Tooth Fairy” or “Easter Bunny” after Smith testified he had no knowledge of whether Garland consulted President Biden before approving the indictments.

The exchange reached a crescendo when Kennedy confronted Smith over the collection of Republican lawmakers’ toll records, accusing him of violating the Speech or Debate Clause and failing to inform the judge who issued non-disclosure orders.

“Anybody who knows a law book from a J. Crew catalog knows that this violates the Constitution. You make me want to throw up in my mouth.”

Fireworks erupted again during a tense exchange with Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO), who produced a poster board referencing internal team text messages suggesting Smith attended a basketball game in Atlanta — implying a potential link to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’s office.

Smith stated he had no recollection of going to Atlanta or attending an NBA Hawks game. Schmitt pressed on, accusing Smith of perjuring himself and concluding with a blistering attack.

“You have weaponized the Department of Justice against political enemies to an extent that has never happened in the history of this country. You will go down as a total dirtbag.”

The accusation sparked immediate pushback from Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), who demanded Smith be shown the evidence cited against him. The dispute revealed a bizarre case of mistaken identity: Smith recalled attending a University of Maryland women’s basketball game to watch Caitlin Clark — who played for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Klobuchar pointed out that Schmitt appears to have confused the Iowa Hawkeyes with the Atlanta Hawks. “I think that people should have their facts straight before they accuse someone of being a dirtbag,” Klobuchar remarked as the senators sparred across the dais.

Schmitt maintained his attack and insisted, “I stand by that statement.”

Democrats on the committee defended Smith. Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-IL) accused Republicans of spreading “baseless conspiracy theories” and defended Smith as a “nonpartisan career prosecutor,” pointing to Trump’s efforts following the 2020 election and the January 6 Capitol riot as justification for the investigation.

Smith’s testimony comes as the Senate Judiciary Committee continues its broader investigation into the “Arctic Frost” probe, including subpoenas for congressional records and other investigative activity surrounding the 2020 election case.

The hearing is ongoing.

Senate Republicans are now expected to hold a confirmation vote before lawmakers leave Washington later this week, according to a Senate Republican source.

The vote came after Republican Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and John Cornyn (R-TX) — who had previously withheld support — voted to advance Blanche after receiving written commitments that the Justice Department would formally rescind the controversial Anti-Weaponization Fund.

“They’ve been consistent about their assertion on behalf of the United States of America that the weaponization fund is dead, and of course I expect them to live up to that in any future litigation.”

Cornyn told the committee the agreement provided the assurances he had been seeking. He argued that confirming a permanent attorney general would provide stability for the Justice Department.

Tillis had also pressed Blanche to meet personally with victims connected to Jeffrey Epstein and work with lawmakers to ensure the fund could not be revived. Both senators ultimately voted yes.

Democrats remained unanimously opposed.

Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) claimed Blanche failed to demonstrate he would be willing to stand up to President Trump when necessary.

“Throughout the decades since the Watergate crisis, both parties have consistently recognized the importance of an attorney general who can and will stand up to the president and say no, and serve as an attorney general in defense of the Constitution, not just the agenda of any one president,” Coons said. “Will acting Attorney General Blanche meet that standard? We have clear evidence he will not.”

Coons also argued that Blanche’s agreement to eliminate the Anti-Weaponization Fund was insufficient, saying nothing would prevent him from reinstating it after confirmation.

The committee’s top Democrat, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), focused his criticism on the Justice Department’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Durbin accused Blanche of overseeing efforts to review the files for references to Trump and criticized the department’s release of documents containing identifying information about Epstein survivors while allegedly shielding powerful associates.

“Mr. Blanche refused to tell me who gave this order, but former Attorney General Bondi made it clear, saying Blanche was in charge of the Epstein files,” Durbin said.

Durbin also criticized Blanche’s recent meeting with Epstein survivors, calling it a “box-checking exercise” and accusing him of refusing to pursue investigative leads suggested by the victims.

Blanche has consistently defended the department’s handling of the Epstein investigation.

He argues the Justice Department has been transparent and remains committed to prosecuting anyone found to have committed crimes connected to Epstein.

“We have been extraordinarily transparent. There are no closed investigations,” Blanche told lawmakers earlier in the confirmation process. “If we learn today, if we learn next week, if we learn next month that there’s an individual who we can investigate, indict, and prosecute out of the Epstein files, you better believe that we will.”

Republicans also questioned Blanche on the Justice Department’s review of the D.C. Five case involving five aborted babies recovered from a Washington abortion clinic in 2022.

Earlier this month, more than 50 Republican lawmakers urged Blanche to investigate whether the babies were victims of illegal partial-birth abortions or infanticide. The Justice Department has since said it is reviewing the matter and will investigate any credible allegations of criminal conduct.

President Trump strongly backed Blanche’s nomination throughout the confirmation process, praising his performance as acting attorney general.

“Todd has done a PHENOMENAL job,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “He is tough, brilliant, and 100% LOYAL to our Constitution, and the American People.”

The full Senate vote is expected before the August recess begins.

The fund’s termination appears to have satisfied two GOP holdouts who’d been blocking Blanche’s nomination: Sen. John Cornyn of Texas and Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina.

A Cornyn spokeswoman confirmed Sunday the Justice Department reached a deal with the senator, clearing the way for Blanche when the Senate Judiciary Committee votes Tuesday. Tillis hadn’t publicly commented on the agreement as of Sunday night but is expected to back Blanche now that Cornyn has.

“Sen. Cornyn has reached an agreement with the Department of Justice, which will be issuing a formal order permanently terminating the anti-weaponization fund.”

Republicans need every member of the committee to vote yes Tuesday to overcome unified Democratic opposition. An earlier vote was postponed after Cornyn and Tillis demanded written commitments before moving forward.

Blanche met those demands by scrapping the fund entirely and clarifying that tax protections in President Trump’s IRS settlement apply only retroactively — not to future filings.

The Justice Department said the fund never became operational. No members were appointed. No money changed hands. No claims process existed. No payments were ever made.

The acting AG addressed the agreement directly on X Sunday.

“My team and I have met with committee members and Senators over the past several weeks and addressed any concerns or outstanding questions,” Blanche wrote. “We have enjoyed good faith discussions, and as a result issue the following order and update with regard to the May IRS settlement.”

Blanche’s order rescinded the May 18 directive that established the fund. Cornyn and Tillis had pushed for written assurances after Trump kept voicing support for the idea publicly — and after lawmakers raised alarm that people convicted in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot could have been eligible for payouts under the original plan.

Tillis voiced sharp frustration Saturday before the deal came together, accusing Trump of intending to “resurrect the payout pot” through a new fund or by pushing Congress toward a bill most Senate Republicans opposed.

“It’s unfortunate that Todd Blanche, who I consider qualified for the job, will not be confirmed because of this reversal,” Tillis said at the time. “Hopefully, we can resolve this by Tuesday.”

Blanche has served as acting attorney general since taking over for Pam Bondi in April. Senate Republicans are hoping to push his nomination through before the end of the week.

The Tuesday vote will be the critical test of whether the agreement holds — and whether Blanche finally secures the confirmation that’s been stalled for weeks.

My team and I have met with committee members and Senators over the past several weeks and addressed any concerns or outstanding questions. We have enjoyed good faith discussions, and as a result issue the following order and update with regard to the May IRS settlement. The… pic.twitter.com/U6hs15kw2D

— Acting AG Todd Blanche (@DAGToddBlanche) August 3, 2026

The threat targets Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) — the only GOP holdouts on the Blanche nomination. Their opposition represents a rare intraparty challenge to a president who has largely commanded unified Republican support for his Cabinet and key personnel selections during this term.

Both senators lost their recent political fights. Cornyn lost his reelection bid. Tillis quit. The political setbacks have created what Trump views as personal grievances affecting their willingness to support his nominees, a dynamic that has now escalated into a public confrontation over one of the administration’s most critical appointments.

“IF SENATORS CORNYN AND TILLIS, BOTH UPSET BECAUSE I WOULDN’T ENDORSE THEM (THEY LOST, AND QUIT, RESPECTIVELY!), AREN’T GOING TO APPROVE TODD BLANCHE, ONE OF THE MOST RESPECTED PROFESSIONALS, ACCORDING TO EVERYBODY, IN THE COUNTRY, TO BE THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY GENERAL, THEN I WILL KEEP TODD AS ACTING A.G., AND PUSH HARD TO GET THE ANTI-WEAPONIZATION BILL, WHICH TAKES CARE OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN SO BADLY TREATED BY THE CROOKED JOE BIDEN (AND OBUMA!) ADMINISTRATION (I GET NOTHING, ALTHOUGH I WAS TREATED HORRIBLY!), PASSED.”

Trump’s Truth Social post marks a sharp pivot from his earlier strategy — a $1.8 billion fund he was pursuing before the Senate roadblock emerged. That initial proposal had been quietly circulating among Republican leadership as a way to address what the president characterizes as politically motivated prosecutions undertaken during previous Democratic administrations.

The anti-weaponization bill would compensate Americans targeted by what Trump calls the “Crooked Joe Biden” and Obama administrations’ politicized prosecutions. The legislative proposal reflects Trump’s long-standing criticism that the Department of Justice has been used as a political weapon against conservatives and his allies, a complaint that has become central to his political messaging since leaving office in 2021 and returning to the White House.

Trump made clear he personally would receive nothing from the fund, despite what he describes as being “treated horribly.” This preemptive clarification appears designed to deflect potential criticism that the legislation would be self-serving, given Trump’s own experience with multiple investigations and prosecutions during and after his previous term in office.

The president praised Blanche as “a voice of reason” and vowed the anti-weaponization proposal “will immediately be back on the table.” Blanche, who previously served as one of Trump’s defense attorneys during his legal battles, has emerged as a trusted figure within the president’s inner circle and was selected for the attorney general position based on that personal loyalty and legal expertise.

“Todd Blanche was a voice of reason! It will immediately be back on the table, and I will get it done,” Trump added in the post.

The standoff puts Senate Republicans in a bind — confirm Blanche or face Trump pushing compensation legislation for DOJ targets that could dwarf the original $1.8 billion proposal. The ultimatum represents a high-stakes gambit that could force Republican senators to choose between maintaining institutional prerogatives over confirmation processes and avoiding a potentially more costly legislative battle that would dominate the political agenda and create divisions within the party.

Cornyn and Tillis have not publicly explained their opposition to Blanche, who Trump says is universally respected in legal circles. The silence from both senators has fueled speculation about their motivations, with Trump attributing their stance to resentment over his decision not to endorse them in their respective political campaigns. Without public statements outlining specific concerns about Blanche’s qualifications or judicial philosophy, the dispute appears increasingly personal rather than substantive.

The Senate Judiciary Committee has rescheduled its vote on the Blanche nomination, signaling continued uncertainty over whether he can clear the panel. The delay suggests ongoing negotiations behind the scenes as Senate leadership attempts to broker a resolution that would avoid a protracted confirmation battle while maintaining party unity on a critical national security position.

If Blanche remains blocked, Trump’s acting AG strategy would allow him to keep his preferred pick in place while simultaneously weaponizing the confirmation fight into a broader push for anti-weaponization legislation — turning the senators’ obstruction into a rallying cry for reform. This dual-track approach would enable the president to maintain operational control over the Justice Department through an acting appointee while simultaneously advancing a legislative agenda that resonates with his political base and puts pressure on Republican senators to either relent on the nomination or explain their opposition to compensating what Trump characterizes as victims of political persecution.

Utah Senator Mike Lee and Congressman Chris Smith of New Jersey, along with more than 50 other lawmakers, are calling on Blanche to “comprehensively investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths of five preborn children” whose remains were recovered by the Metropolitan Police Department in 2022.

The babies were allegedly aborted at the Washington Surgi-Clinic operated by late-term abortionist Dr. Cesare Santangelo.

“For four years, members of Congress have remained alarmed at this clear violation of life and law, but the Biden Administration Department of Justice refused to act.”

The lawmakers want to know if the babies were victims of infanticide or illegal partial-birth abortion. Their remains are currently in the possession of the D.C. Medical Examiner.

Blanche, who has been acting attorney general since April, is in the midst of a confirmation battle on Capitol Hill. He faced the Senate Judiciary Committee last week in a two-day hearing where lawmakers questioned him about the Trump administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, among other issues.

Lee and three other signatories of Tuesday’s letter — Senators Chuck Grassley, Ted Cruz, and Josh Hawley — all serve on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Blanche will need their votes to get to a full floor vote and then for confirmation.

As the committee prepares to vote, the signatories are calling on Blanche to conduct a thorough investigation into each child’s circumstances, including autopsies of the infants and preservation of all collected evidence.

That is not all. They also want the babies to be properly buried.

The letter reads: “We cannot undo the grievous, barbaric acts that killed these children in their most vulnerable stage, but we equally cannot allow such lawlessness and inhumanity to evade our justice system any longer. Under President Trump’s and your leadership, we are hopeful that these children will finally receive the justice they deserve.”

A Justice Department official told The Daily Wire on Tuesday afternoon that the DOJ has gathered and reviewed documents related to the DC Five and is in the process of finalizing that process and turning things over to Congress. Should Congress identify any crimes in the DOJ’s trove of documents, the DOJ will “certainly investigate those matters,” the official shared.

DOJ spokeswoman Kiersten Pels said, “The Department of Justice is aware of the Senators’ request and takes these matters seriously. As with all allegations of potential criminal conduct, the Department will review the information carefully and will investigate any credible allegations of criminal actions. The Department remains committed to following the facts and the law wherever they lead.”

Pro-life activists Lauren Handy and Terrisa Bukovinac originally discovered the baby bodies in boxes outside a Foggy Bottom abortion clinic in 2022 shortly before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

Advocates and Republican lawmakers have sounded the alarm for years about these babies, warning that they appear to have been brutally and illegally aborted in violation of federal law. But the Biden administration took no steps to properly investigate the matter, instead targeting the women who recovered the bodies.

Doctors estimated to The Daily Wire in 2022 that several of the babies were victims of late-term abortions — and that at least one baby may have been aborted using illegal partial-birth abortion methods, showing “deep lacerations to the posterior neck which presumably correlates to the method of abortion used to end her life.”

If the baby girl was alive when the abortionist made these lacerations, her circumstances would directly violate the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 (18 U.S. Code § 1531), which criminalizes the partial deliverance of a living child for the purpose of performing an overt act that intentionally takes the life of the child.

The lawmakers also point to the estimations of pro-life doctors, noting that one baby boy was estimated to be around 28 to 32 weeks, while another baby looked “like he should have been in the nursery” and was “about the same size as [her] granddaughter when she was born.”

Lee and Smith called on Attorney General Merrick Garland to conduct an investigation into the babies in 2022, but the Justice Department never investigated or responded.

Worse, after two years of inaction, reports indicated that the Department of Justice advised the Chief Medical Examiner to discard the bodies of the infants. Fortunately, members of Congress were able to intervene with the Chief Medical Examiner and urge him to preserve the bodies.

As recently as April, Republican Reps. Chip Roy (TX) and Andy Biggs (AZ) pushed FBI Director Kash Patel to investigate the babies and their circumstances.

The charges remain allegations. The case has not been proven in court.

Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina and John Cornyn of Texas hold the swing votes on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Both remain noncommittal after Blanche faced a brutal Day 1 grilling over his loyalty to Trump, the $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund, and the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein Files.

With Democrats dug in against him, Blanche can’t afford to lose a single Republican vote.

“I don’t know what other information’s gonna be coming in. The hearing is not even halfway done. And so, you know, I don’t have to make a decision now, so I’m not.” — Sen. John Cornyn

Cornyn’s primary objection centers on the nearly $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund created under a Trump IRS settlement to compensate people who claimed they were victims of government weaponization. Blanche acknowledged the fund was still “enforceable” but said it was not moving forward.

That answer wasn’t enough for Cornyn.

Tillis shares the same concern — whether the controversial fund is truly dead. But he noted that when asked if he’d support legislation to permanently kill it, Blanche said “Yes.”

“Does anybody really believe that the nominee for attorney general would answer that question if he didn’t think that he had the support of the president to end this?” — Sen. Thom Tillis

Blanche also drew fire for being Trump’s former personal defense lawyer. Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana asked Blanche if he considered himself the president’s friend.

Blanche corrected himself on the spot: “I’m his lawyer — was his lawyer, and now I’m the deputy attorney general.”

When asked about the slip-up, Cornyn said Blanche is “trying to walk a very difficult line.”

Senate Democrats are unanimous in opposition. Sen. Dick Durbin, the top Democrat on the committee, attacked Blanche over the Epstein Files release and accused him of lacking integrity for representing Trump.

“Anyone who can represent a known pathological liar like Donald Trump can have no integrity. You can’t have integrity if you represent Donald Trump, because he is such an inveterate liar. And that person, of course, should never, never, never be attorney general.” — Sen. Dick Durbin

Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware admitted Blanche was “qualified … as someone who has been a prosecutor,” but claimed Blanche would weaponize the DOJ “to carry out a retribution agenda by President Trump.”

Blanche faces a second day of questioning with his confirmation hanging by a thread. Republicans hold a narrow majority on the committee — but without Tillis and Cornyn, Trump’s AG pick could be dead on arrival.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) released the bombshell documents Tuesday after receiving legally protected whistleblower disclosures.

The newly obtained evidence shows Smith’s prosecutors obtained and reviewed text messages from dozens of mostly Republican lawmakers as part of the sham criminal investigation into President Trump.

Smith’s team bypassed the required Filter Team review process — despite prior warnings from Justice Department attorneys — to access communications between Trump White House personnel and lawmakers.

The filter review process exists to protect privileged materials from being swept up in criminal prosecutions. Smith’s senior attorney Thomas Windom and others ignored it.

The documents reveal Windom downloaded the texts within half an hour of receipt on August 21, 2023. Within one hour, other members of Smith’s investigative team downloaded and began reviewing the communications — without waiting for the Filter Team to evaluate and segregate privileged information.

The subpoena targeted text messages from October 2020 through January 20, 2021, from phones associated with Trump White House personnel, including Trump himself, Mark Meadows, Dan Scavino, Ivanka Trump, Stephen Miller, Peter Navarro, John Ratcliffe, Kash Patel, Rudy Giuliani, Kellyanne Conway, and Mike Pence.

Smith initially claimed only broad toll records were requested and the content of those records were not accessed.

He swore under oath in December 2025 that he did not access the content of text messages belonging to members of Congress.

Lying under oath to Congress is a federal crime punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine.

“Jack Smith’s criminal investigation of President Trump was a runaway train that had no brakes,” Grassley said.

Grassley called out Smith’s team for running “roughshod over the Constitution even after repeated warnings.”

“Smith’s team ran roughshod over the Constitution even after repeated warnings. Jack Smith has answering to do, and I intend to have him before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the coming months to hold him accountable,” the chairman stated.

Johnson called it “yet another grotesque example of the Biden administration’s weaponization of the Justice Department.”

“Jack Smith’s team acted with impunity as they disregarded their own protocols to obtain and access White House text messages, including messages to and from 44 Members of Congress,” Johnson said.

House Judiciary Committee released 200 pages of documents in October 2025 revealing that more than 150 Republicans, including many current Trump administration officials, were targeted during the Arctic Frost investigation.

Smith’s team accessed texts to and from senators Chuck Grassley, Ron Johnson, John Cornyn, Lindsey Graham, Josh Hawley, Mike Lee, Rand Paul, Tim Scott, Tom Cotton, and Cory Booker, along with House members Kevin McCarthy, Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan, Devin Nunes, Elise Stefanik, Scott Perry, Thomas Massie, and Mo Brooks, among others.

Joe Biden issued preemptive pardons to several officials, including Anthony Fauci, Mark Milley, and members of the House January 6 committee.

Jack Smith was conspicuously absent from the list.

Grassley plans to haul Smith before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the coming months.

December 2025: Jack Smith swore under oath that he didn't spy on text messages belonging to members of Congress.

Today: New evidence confirms he spied on dozens of members of Congress, myself included.

This is a blatant abuse of power, and exactly what our Founders warned… pic.twitter.com/3eqwiylLXI

— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) July 14, 2026

“There are no closed investigations,” Blanche told senators Wednesday. “If we learn today, if we learn next week, if we learn next month that there’s an individual that we can investigate, indict and prosecute out of the Epstein files, you better believe it, we will.”

“If we learn today, if we learn next week, if we learn next month that there’s an individual that we can investigate, indict and prosecute out of the Epstein files, you better believe it, we will.”

The promise came during Blanche’s Senate confirmation hearing July 15, as scrutiny of the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein files continues to mount.

The DOJ and FBI concluded a review in July 2025 that found no evidence of a so-called “client list” belonging to Epstein and no basis for further public disclosures. The findings sparked renewed calls — including from some of President Trump’s supporters — for the full release of the remaining Epstein files.

Blanche drew a sharp distinction between the department’s completed review of existing files and its authority to pursue new criminal cases. While prosecutions of Epstein, who allegedly took his own life in federal custody in 2019, and his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell have concluded, the DOJ remains willing to investigate and prosecute any additional individuals if credible evidence emerges.

He also rejected suggestions that the department has neglected Epstein’s victims. DOJ officials have met with representatives of more than 30 victims since the review began and would continue speaking with anyone who comes forward, Blanche said.

“We will never not talk to victims,” Blanche said. “We will never not do everything we can to prosecute anybody that committed any crimes against any of these women.”

He encouraged any victims or their attorneys with additional information to contact the FBI, reiterating that the department would “100%” investigate any new evidence that could support criminal charges.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., pressed Blanche to apologize directly to Epstein’s victims for the Justice Department’s handling of the file release after roughly 1% of released documents required corrected redactions.

“Any mistake that we made should not have been made,” Blanche said. “Yes, I am sorry that in about 1% of the documents mistakes were made.”

He added that DOJ immediately pulled affected documents, corrected the errors and dedicated around-the-clock attorneys to issue redactions.

Blumenthal also urged Blanche to personally meet with Epstein survivors. Blanche responded that he had “never said I can’t meet with them,” adding that if victims are represented by counsel, meetings would be coordinated through their attorneys.

“Of course, I can meet with them,” Blanche said. “I’m the acting attorney general of the United States.”

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., asked Blanche whether additional people identified in the Epstein files could face charges. Blanche said prosecutors reviewing the evidence had not identified evidence that other men participated in Epstein’s trafficking operation, while stressing that “that does not mean it didn’t happen.”

“If there’s anybody out there, victim or otherwise, that has information, I beg them to come forward.”

Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., questioned Blanche about his interview with Ghislaine Maxwell in July 2025, asking whether it had led to any additional criminal charges. Blanche replied that it had not.

Blanche declined to say whether the interview led to any new investigations, saying the Justice Department does not comment on the existence of investigations.

Booker further pressed Blanche about his interview with Maxwell, asking whether he or anyone else at DOJ had discussed the possibility of a presidential pardon, clemency or Maxwell’s later transfer to a minimum-security prison camp. Blanche denied that any of those topics were discussed with Maxwell or her attorneys.

The charges remain allegations. The case has not been proven in court.

Blanche faces the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday and Thursday. Democrats are mounting significant opposition. But Trump isn’t waiting for the testimony to lock in GOP support.

The president posted a Truth Social statement declaring Blanche has done a “PHENOMENAL job” as acting attorney general since taking over in April following Pam Bondi’s departure.

“Todd Blanche is doing a PHENOMENAL job as Acting Attorney General of the United States. Under Todd’s incredible leadership at DOJ, Murder is down to the LOWEST level since 1900, and we just saw the biggest one year drop in RECORDED HISTORY. Violent Crime arrests are UP 100%. Robberies, Carjackings, and Assaults, are all CRASHING.”

Trump highlighted Blanche’s record seizing over 500 million deadly doses of drugs and credited his “LAW AND ORDER” approach for the historic crime drop.

The president praised Blanche for fighting for religious liberty, ending the weaponization of the Justice System, protecting free speech, keeping men out of women’s sports, and strengthening election integrity.

Trump closed with a personal endorsement rooted in loyalty — reminding senators that Blanche stood by his side during the Biden DOJ prosecutions.

“When the Corrupt Biden ‘Injustice’ Department and Radical Left Prosecutors tried to throw me in jail, and interfered in our Historic 2024 Presidential Campaign, Todd stood by my side and fought off the Lawfare,” Trump wrote. “He is a great lawyer, always very fair, and every Republican Senator should vote to CONFIRM Todd Blanche, ASAP!”

Senate Democrats are preparing to hammer Blanche over the “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” according to Daily Wire reporting.

But Blanche will also face scrutiny from Republican senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who plan to press him on ending mail-order chemical abortion drugs and demanding strict oversight of the IRS settlement over the illegal leak of Trump’s tax returns.

Blanche’s confirmation hearing begins Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. ET — set to be a long day under the Senate’s spotlight.

A lawsuit brought by Louisiana and survivors of Biden’s abortion-drug rules seeks to reverse the rule changes allowing abortion drugs to be prescribed over the internet without an in-person medical exam. The Department of Justice doesn’t even contest the core argument: the Biden rules violated the Administrative Procedure Act and are unlawful.

According to court findings, the administration has basically admitted as much already.

The Biden rules have already facilitated hundreds of thousands of babies killed illegally in pro-life states, with more every single month.

Since both sides appear to agree on the merits, Blanche could resolve the problem immediately by settling the case and agreeing to a court-ordered consent decree. Instead, the DOJ is arguing that even if the Biden rules are illegal, they should stay in place because the FDA’s safety review is still ongoing.

That argument makes no sense.

The FDA’s study is meant to inform future regulations and help the agency make medical judgments. But whether the pre-existing Biden rules violate the Administrative Procedure Act is a legal question — it doesn’t need a study to back it up.

The fact that the FDA needs a study now only proves why the Biden rules were illegal in the first place. Biden’s FDA didn’t do any serious study before changing the in-person dispensing rules. Courts have found that the medical arguments the agency offered gave no adequate support for the changes.

The DOJ is applying a double standard: a high bar for Trump and pro-life states to clear, and a low bar for Biden and the abortion industry.

Sen. Josh Hawley clearly understands the stakes. He has called on Blanche to settle the case immediately. Other pro-life senators should join him.

More than 70 percent of the country supports the pre-Biden requirement for in-person dispensing of abortion drugs.

Every single Republican senator on the Judiciary Committee represents a state whose laws are being undermined by the internet-dispensing regime Biden allowed. The attorneys general of all but one of those states have asked for the Biden rule to be immediately paused while the FDA’s study continues.

The decision about whether to do so rests in Blanche’s hands.

The Biden rules have facilitated illegal activity in pro-life states every month. More cases of coercion, abuse, and violence toward women continually come to light. Whether we keep these rules in place has a real and immediate effect.

There’s no legal reason to keep the Biden rules in place. There’s no scientific reason. There’s no political reason either — more than 70 percent of Americans support the pre-Biden in-person requirement.

The only thing left is for the Department of Justice to correct the record and restore the regulation to the pre-Biden status quo, as the law requires.

Pro-life senators should urge Blanche to act now.