By admin 
Congressional hearings come with a lot of pomp, but most aren’t all that important. Witnesses answer dry, in-the-weeds questions about things that matter to individual lawmakers but rarely to the entire country. Today’s Senate confirmation hearing for Todd Blanche, Donald Trump’s nominee to become attorney general, was different. Blanche’s track record suggests he’ll use his power over the Department of Justice to put the president’s interests above the country’s. Here’s what we learned.
Wait—who is this guy, again?
Blanche, who has led the DOJ in an acting capacity since April, is Trump’s former lawyer. After representing various Trumpworld figures, Blanche led the once and future president’s defense against allegations that he paid hush money to a porn star—a trial Trump lost—and other charges. After Trump won reelection, Blanche became the DOJ’s No. 2 official.
Why did Trump pick him for the top job?
For one thing, the position is open. Trump fired Pam Bondi, his first attorney general, earlier this year, reportedly because she wasn’t prosecuting his political opponents quickly enough. Hence the fears that Trump promoted Blanche with the expectation that he’ll do as told.
What are those fears based on?
All AGs share their president’s policy goals. But after the abuses of Watergate, the DOJ created a norm of operating independently of the White House. While presidents since Richard Nixon have pushed that boundary, Trump—with Blanche’s help—has demolished it. Under Blanche, the DOJ has pursued politically motivated prosecutions of Trump foes such as former FBI Director James Comey. It has also subpoenaed New York Times journalists whose reporting embarrassed the president. After Trump sued his own IRS over his leaked tax returns, Blanche signed a deal giving Trump, his family, and his businesses immunity from audits. He helped architect a proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” to funnel taxpayer money to Trump allies (potentially including pardoned Jan. 6 rioters). And he has said it’s the president’s “right” and “duty” to identify people the feds should investigate.
How’d Blanche respond to those criticisms?
He called the anti-weaponization fund “dead” and distanced himself from the president in small ways. He claimed he isn’t a yes-man, that he doesn’t believe that Trump can constitutionally seek a third term, and that he doesn’t think federal judges should be impeached for ruling against the administration. (Then again, that list suggests a pretty low bar.) But Blanche also inadvertently reinforced his critics’ main concern. Prompted by a GOP senator, Blanche suggested he was open to investigating Jack Smith, the special prosecutor who brought two of the cases Blanche previously defended Trump against. And asked whether he and Trump are friends, Blanche answered, “I’m his lawyer”—before catching himself by saying he was Trump’s lawyer. Talk about a Freudian slip.
OK, but Republicans control the Senate. So is Blanche a shoo-in?
First he has to get out of the Judiciary Committee. He’ll likely need every GOP vote to do so, and that’s not a given: Two senators are publicly undecided. John Cornyn, who recently lost his Texas primary to a Trumpier challenger, hammered Blanche over the anti-weaponization fund and sounded worried that Trump could try to revive it. Thom Tillis, a retiring North Carolinian, wants Trump to support a bill killing the fund for good. And even if Blanche does make it to a full Senate vote, other Republicans could still sink him. Susan Collins is in a tough reelection fight, one made harder after Immigration and Customs Enforcement fatally shot a driver in Maine this week (an incident Blanche’s FBI is investigating). Bill Cassidy of Louisiana has entered his maverick era after losing a primary earlier this year. Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska moderate, has opposed other Trump nominees. And Mitch McConnell is still recovering after a hospital stay, leaving Republicans a vote short. Vice President J.D. Vance can break ties, so there’s room for a couple of defections or absences. But Blanche’s nomination could come down to the wire.
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Congrats—you’re caught up on a running story of national importance. Rather than spiraling about it tonight, here are some things to read instead:
A glimpse into the future: If you’re feeling down about the news today, this one might be worth revisiting: Earlier this year, Slate’s Luke Winkie took a trip to Florida and came back with some insights into how Trumpism might end.
A very special summer episode: The What Next crew recently spent some time considering Neil the Seal, the giant aquatic mammal who’s been terrorizing an Australian seaside town. (In the words of host Lizzie O’Leary: “Neil the Seal is my id—Neil the Seal is everything I want to be!”) This one is for Slate Plus members only, but you can support our work (including this newsletter) and get access to all Plus episodes by signing up here.
A treat for crossword fans: Somehow, despite the proliferation of Wordle, Candy Crush, and other games, the old-fashioned crossword is more popular than ever. Slate’s Imogen West-Knights traveled to the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, “an annual pilgrimage for the most puzzle-pilled fanatics in the U.S.,” to understand why. (And if you’re a little puzzle-pilled yourself, give today’s mini crossword a try).
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Sign Off: With that, you’re free! Go enjoy your evening, and see you tomorrow.