Blanche addresses question on whether he is a personal friend of Trump during Senate confirmation hearing

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche appeared at a Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday when Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) asked Blanche whether he is a friend of President Donald Trump, prompting Blanche to respond in a way that suggested a potential slip-up about the nature and timing of their relationship.

Kennedy’s question centered on whether Blanche had a personal friendship with Trump. Blanche responded, “I’m his lawyer - was his lawyer,” The Hill reported, before noting that he now serves in the Justice Department in an official capacity as deputy attorney general.

The exchange came during Blanche’s confirmation proceedings for attorney general, where senators focused on his understanding of the department’s role and his plans for the office. The Hill described Blanche’s response as occurring during Kennedy’s line of questioning about his ties to the president.

Blanche’s confirmation hearing is taking place against a backdrop of Senate scrutiny of the Justice Department’s independence and the qualifications of top department leadership. The Hill reported the remarks in the moment, tying them directly to Kennedy’s question about friendship.

While Blanche’s response referenced his prior legal work for Trump and his current government role, the question-and-answer session underscored how senators may test the boundaries between personal relationships and official duties for senior Justice Department officials.

The Hill did not attribute additional meaning beyond the exchange itself, nor did it specify any follow-up from senators on Blanche’s phrasing in the report.

The next steps in the process remain for the Senate to continue its consideration of Blanche’s confirmation and for the chamber to determine whether to advance or confirm him as attorney general, with senators’ questions and exchanges forming part of the public record.

As the hearing continues to be reviewed, the department and the nominee’s communications team may face additional requests for clarification about the relationship between prior private representation and current official responsibilities, particularly when senators ask about personal ties versus professional capacity.