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Confirmation hearings are underway for President Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general, his personal attorney Todd Blanche. Blanche is mired in a number of controversies, most notably his mishandling of the administration’s release of the Epstein files while serving as deputy attorney general under Pam Bondi. Washington state Representative Pramila Jayapal, who is co-sponsoring a bill to allow Epstein survivors whose identifying information was improperly publicized by the Department of Justice to sue the federal government for damages, says “Todd Blanche was responsible” for the breach. “He really wanted to discourage anyone else from coming forward with more information. … It’s [a] big reason why he shouldn’t be the attorney general.” Jayapal also discusses the Department of Justice’s surveillance of herself and other legislators who viewed Epstein-related documents and Blanche’s longstanding personal and professional connections with Trump.

This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form.

NERMEEN SHAIKH: Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche was grilled by senators during his confirmation hearing Wednesday to become attorney general. Blanche previously served as President Trump’s personal lawyer. He’s headed the Justice Department on an acting basis since Trump fired Pam Bondi as attorney general. It’s unclear if Republicans have enough votes to confirm Blanche.

During the hearing, outgoing Texas Senator John Cornyn blasted Blanche for his role in proposing a $1.8 billion fund for Trump to give to his allies, including January 6th insurrectionists. Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana questioned Blanche about his ties to Trump.

SEN. JOHN KENNEDY: Are you and President Trump friends? Related Story News | Politics & Elections Blanche Says Trump “Slush Fund” Payouts Could Include Jan. 6 Participants Among those who could be eligible for payouts are members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. By Chris Walker , Truthout May 19, 2026 Truthout ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE: I’m his lawyer — was his lawyer, and now I’m the deputy attorney general.

SEN. JOHN KENNEDY: Are you and President Trump friends?

Blanche Says Trump “Slush Fund” Payouts Could Include Jan. 6 Participants

ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE: I’m his lawyer — was his lawyer, and now I’m the deputy attorney general.

AMY GOODMAN: “I’m his lawyer — was his lawyer,” Blanche corrected himself. Democratic Senator Dick Durbin criticized Blanche for continuing to act as if he were Trump’s personal attorney.

SEN. DICK DURBIN: In less than 18 months at the Department of Justice, you’ve shown you’re still President Trump’s personal attorney. Your tenure can be summed up in the four words you said — quote, “I love you, sir” — to President Trump. This was your response when you were asked what you would say to him. This nation deserves an attorney general who loves the Constitution more than any single president, an attorney general focused on keeping America safe and combating corruption, not satisfying the president’s personal grievances or channeling crypto cash to the administration’s MAGA faithful.

SEN. DICK DURBIN: In less than 18 months at the Department of Justice, you’ve shown you’re still President Trump’s personal attorney. Your tenure can be summed up in the four words you said — quote, “I love you, sir” — to President Trump. This was your response when you were asked what you would say to him. This nation deserves an attorney general who loves the Constitution more than any single president, an attorney general focused on keeping America safe and combating corruption, not satisfying the president’s personal grievances or channeling crypto cash to the administration’s MAGA faithful.

AMY GOODMAN: During the Senate hearing, Blanche also faced questions about his handling of the Epstein files, and we’ll hear his comments in a bit. But for more, we’re joined now from Washington, D.C., by Democratic Congressmember Pramila Jayapal of Washington state. She’s just introduced a bill with Senator Cory Booker to protect Epstein survivors whose personal information was improperly disclosed during the Trump’s DOJ’s recent release of the Epstein files, which Blanche was in charge of. But first, we want to go to the overall questioning of and the possibility that the acting or interim attorney general would become the attorney general.

Your assessment of Todd Blanche, Congressmember Jayapal?

REP. PRAMILA JAYAPAL: Well, my assessment, Amy, is that he is not fit to be attorney general. He slipped and said what is true, that he acts as the president’s personal attorney, not as the attorney general for the people of the United States. This is a very important position, and........

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