Ex-Trump Lawyer Criticizes Criminal Cases During DOJ Hearing

During his Senate confirmation hearing, Todd Blanche, Donald Trump's former personal attorney, faced scrutiny regarding potential conflicts of interest due to his prior representation of Trump in several criminal cases. Blanche criticized these cases as 'partisan lawfare' and asserted that he would not allow politics to influence his decisions as deputy attorney general. However, Democrats expressed concerns about his loyalty to Trump, especially given the formation of a 'Weaponization Working Group' by Attorney General Pam Bondi, intended to investigate the actions of special counsel Jack Smith and others involved in prosecuting Trump. Blanche's confirmation comes at a time when the Justice Department is under scrutiny for its independence, particularly following the dismissal of a corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat. Despite these tensions, Blanche is expected to be confirmed alongside Gail Slater, Trump's nominee for the antitrust division, who has garnered bipartisan support. Overall, the developments raise significant questions about the future direction of the Justice Department under Trump's influence.