Todd Blanche, the acting attorney general, appeared before the Senate on July 15, 2026, seeking confirmation as the nation's top law enforcement official.
The hearing was contentious, with senators pressing Blanche on his loyalty to President Trump, the Financial Times reported. Blanche said he serves at the pleasure of the president but drew a line on lawfulness: "I will resign if asked to act illegally."
NPR reported that Blanche had previously been confirmed by the Senate in Trump's second term, serving in the second-ranking position at the Justice Department before taking on the acting attorney general role.
The Justice Department said a U.S. Attorney urged the Senate to confirm Blanche to lead the department permanently.