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In Washington later this morning, President Trump's pick to lead the Justice Department faces what could be his toughest test yet, as Todd Blanche begins a two-day confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill
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The former Trump defense attorney has been serving as acting attorney general since April, but his path to the job permanently is not a sure thing
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Trump on Tuesday urged every Republican senator to back Blanche, writing on Truth Social that Blanche, quote
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stood by my side. He is a great lawyer, always very fair
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But Democrats argue Blanche has been serving Trump, not the American people
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In a statement, Senate Judiciary Committee member Sheldon Whitehouse said, quote, he is a walking disgrace. Trump intends to damage the rule of law to protect his massive corruption
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and Blanche is his hatchet man. Blanche is also expected to face questions about his handling of
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the Epstein files and his role in a scrapped $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund. That fund
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is also one of the issues giving some Republicans pause. Senators John Cornyn and Tom Tillis have
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yet to commit their support. While a federal judge this week sharply criticized Blanche's
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role in the agreement that created the now abandoned fund. And the politics have become
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even trickier following the death of Senator Lindsey Graham. With Democrats expected to oppose
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the nomination, Judiciary Committee Republicans can't afford to lose just one vote to advance
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Blanche, making every GOP holdout critical. If Blanche clears the committee, Republicans hope
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to hold a full Senate vote before the August recess
