The Senate Judiciary Committee held a second day of testimony on the confirmation of Todd Blanche to serve as Attorney General. Having heard from the nominee on the previous day, the committee transitioned to hearing from a panel of outside witnesses.
Testimony was provided by a diverse group, including former Attorney General John Ashcroft, Jeffrey Epstein survivor Dani Bensky, a mother of a crime victim, and a former Justice Department pardon attorney who was terminated from her position by Blanche. The former pardon attorney was questioned by committee members regarding previous recommendations she had made for commuting life sentences during the Biden administration.
During the proceedings, Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) questioned Ashcroft regarding the legal and ethical standards for a president involving the executive branch in prosecutions of political rivals. This hearing is part of the formal process to determine whether Blanche will be confirmed to lead the Department of Justice.