Overview
- President Trump formally nominated Todd Blanche in early June and Blanche has served as acting attorney general since Pam Bondi’s removal earlier this year.
- Former attorney general William Barr published a public endorsement calling Blanche well qualified and urging Senate Republicans to approve him before the August recess.
- A coalition of groups and 101 former judges filed a 73‑page ethics complaint with the New York State Bar accusing Blanche of misusing DOJ powers and backing a now‑abandoned $1.8 billion compensation fund.
- U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan ordered the Justice Department to unredact additional Epstein‑related pages, saying Blanche effectively conceded a statutory violation, a point the DOJ disputes.
- Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings are set for July 15–16, several Republican senators remain undecided, and a small number of GOP defections could determine the outcome and shape DOJ priorities.