Booker Grills Todd Blanche Over Trump Loyalty in Explosive 12-Minute Senate Clash

 

Booker Grills Todd Blanche Over Trump Loyalty in Explosive 12-Minute Senate Clash

On July 15, 2026, U.S. Senator Cory Booker aggressively confronted Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche during a high-stakes Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing, accusing him of prioritizing "Trump over truth" and favoring the interests of the powerful over the American public.

 

The Core Confrontation

During the intense 12-minute exchange, Senator Booker delivered a blistering "performance review" of Blanche's tenure as Acting Attorney General. The clash focused heavily on Blanche's previous role as Donald Trump's personal defense attorney and his independence as the nation's chief law enforcement officer. Booker declared that the Attorney General's client is the American people—not the president—and argued that Blanche's record proved he should not be confirmed to the permanent role.

Key Flashpoints in the Hearing

• The Jeffrey Epstein Case: Booker criticized Blanche's handling of the Epstein files. He accused Blanche of personally meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell and facilitating her transfer to a low-security camp against Bureau of Prisons policies, while allegedly failing to meet with or respond to Epstein's survivors.
• The Tax Return Settlement: Lawmakers scrutinized a controversial IRS litigation settlement signed by Blanche. Booker and other Democrats argued the deal gave Trump a "sweetheart" tax immunity package.
• The "Anti-Weaponization" Fund: Blanche faced tough questions over a disputed $1.8 billion fund intended to compensate Trump allies. While Blanche asserted the fund was "dead" following intense bipartisan backlash, he admitted the underlying settlement remained an enforceable document.

The Aftermath

The exchange became highly combative, with both men frequently speaking over one another, prompting Blanche to remark, "You can ask the questions, but you cannot control my answers." Following the hearing, outside opposition mounted as a group of more than 1,200 former Justice Department employees signed a letter urging the Senate to reject Blanche's nomination. Conversely, Blanche received formal backing from conservative committee members and organizations like the Newark Police Superior Officers Association