WATCH LIVE: Epstein survivor, fired DOJ pardon attorney testify at Blanche confirmation hearing

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche encountered sharp questioning from senators during his confirmation hearing, particularly concerning a now-scrapped "Anti-Weaponization Fund" and other actions taken during his interim leadership.

Senators, including Republican John Cornyn, pressed Blanche on the status of the $1.776 billion fund, which was designed to support President Donald Trump's allies. Despite Blanche's insistence that the fund was "not moving forward," Cornyn voiced concerns that a formal written commitment to its cancellation was still lacking. This absence, Cornyn suggested, leaves open the possibility of the fund's revival. Blanche countered that Trump, as a plaintiff in related lawsuits, has no power over the fund's administration, which was intended for the Justice Department but never launched.

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Just to be clear, the president of the United States, who's a plaintiff in this lawsuit, has not agreed in writing to delete the weaponization fund and there's no guarantee that he or one of the other plaintiffs" won't raise the issue in the future.

The hearing occurred amidst significant turmoil within the Justice Department, marked by staff departures and accusations that Blanche, who has led the department on an interim basis since April, continues to act as Trump's personal lawyer. Critics point to his role as the public face of the controversial fund and his acceleration of investigations into perceived Trump adversaries. Even as he declared the fund shelved, Blanche maintained that tax immunity granted to Trump this year remains in effect, despite bipartisan criticism.

Blanche defended his tenure by highlighting investigations into Trump during the Biden administration, arguing that he inherited a politicized Justice Department. "In recent years, we watched the Justice Department turned against many of you and a former president, and it damaged the public's faith in justice," Blanche stated. "We are fixing that." His confirmation hinges on securing the support of all Republicans on the Judiciary Committee, with Cornyn's stance being particularly crucial.

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In recent years, we watched the Justice Department turned against many of you and a former president, and it damaged the public's faith in justice. We are fixing that.