Trump-appointed Acting AG Todd Blanche faces Senate confirmation hearing to assume permanent role – One America News Network

OAN Staff Katherine Mosack
7:40 AM – Wednesday, July 15, 2026

United States Acting Attorney General (AG) Todd Blanche, President Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general, is facing the Senate Judiciary Committee for a confirmation hearing to officially become the successor to former AG Pam Bondi and the new head of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Several groups have come out in support of Blanche, the former deputy attorney general, on Wednesday, the morning of his hearing.

The office of Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said 670,000 sworn officers, 300 angel families–families who lost a loved one to crimes committed by illegal immigrants–and 100 bipartisan U.S. attorneys and DOJ officials support the Trump nominee.

The office also noted a statement from 23 attorneys general that read, “At a time when Americans expect their government to protect communities from violent crime, narcotics trafficking, human trafficking, terrorism and organized criminal activity, Todd Blanche has shown the ability to deliver real results. His record reflects a commitment to public safety, vigorous enforcement of federal law and effective stewardship of the Department of Justice… we urge the Senate to swiftly confirm Todd Blanche as United States Attorney General.”

 

In a Truth Social post on Wednesday, Trump hailed his nominee’s accomplishments in the interim role, declaring that “every Republican Senator should vote to CONFIRM Todd Blanche, ASAP!”

“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,” he wrote. “Violent Crime arrests are UP 100%. Robberies, Carjackings, and Assaults, are all CRASHING. More than 500 million deadly doses of Drugs have already been seized, saving countless innocent lives. This is what happens when you unleash LAW AND ORDER on our streets, instead of protecting vicious Criminal Thugs, and releasing dangerous Illegal Aliens into our Communities like the Dumocrats did for four disastrous years under Sleepy Joe Biden.”

“Todd has fought hard for Religious Liberty, ended the Weaponization of our Justice System, protected FREE SPEECH, kept Men OUT of Women’s Sports, strengthened Election Integrity, and gone to all-out-WAR against Fraud like nobody in the History of the Department of Justice,” the president continued. “He is tough, brilliant, and 100% LOYAL to our Constitution, and the American People.”

 

Furthermore, Trump praised Blanche for his previous work as his personal defense lawyer, representing him in cases in 2023 and 2024 before he assumed office for his second term as president.

“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,” said Trump.

Grassley opened the hearing on Wednesday morning, saying, “Mr. Blanche, thank you for being here. As I’ve said before, this is one of the most important offices in our country. You went through a rough Senate confirmation a little over a year ago, so you know all about it. The Senate has already judged your fitness for high office and confirmed you as the department’s second in command. Today, we consider you for promotion, and we’re not starting out from a blank slate. You have a track record.”

The senator from Iowa explained that Democrats have “relentlessly attacked” Blanche’s and President Trump’s leadership over the Justice Department, but decided to look at the “evidence” instead of listening to “partisan criticism.”

“The United States has the lowest murder rate since 1900. The FBI has captured eight of the top ten most wanted fugitives. Violent crime arrests by the FBI are up 184%. More than 849 individuals have been disrupted from conducting terrorist attacks. The ATF has seized more than 44,000 illegal firearms. That is not a failure,” the senator said.

 

Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, gave opening statements next, paying tribute to the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), whose sister recently was appointed to fill his vacant seat for the remainder of his term. Blanche’s Senate hearing is the first for the upper chamber since Graham, who served as a member of Congress for over 20 years, died on Saturday.

“I want to acknowledge the obvious empty seat at the dais here, next to the chairman. The committee is mourning the loss of our friend and colleague, Senator Lindsey Graham, former chairman and ranking member of this committee,” Durbin said. “I served on the committee with Senator Graham since he joined the Senate in 2003. I’m going to cherish my memories of both our fierce partisan battles and our landmark bipartisan agreements. He was a trusted friend.”