‘There were mistakes’: Acting US attorney general Blanche grilled over Trump ties and Epstein files

Acting United States attorney general Todd Blanche faced sharp questions from both Republican and Democratic senators during his senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday, as he was seeking permanent appointment as the country’s top law enforcement official.The hearing centred on the Justice Department’s handling of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Lawmakers raised concerns over delays in releasing millions of pages of documents, extensive redactions, and the department’s treatment of survivors.When Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal asked whether he would apologise to Epstein survivors, Blanche admitted mistakes had been made, saying, “I will absolutely say that any mistake that we made should not have been made… I very much apologise.”He was also questioned on his relationship with President Donald Trump, a controversial IRS settlement, and whether he would act independently if confirmed, BBC cites.Questions over ties with TrumpDuring the hearing, Blanche’s close association with Trump was questioned. Before becoming acting attorney general, Blanche served as Trump’s personal lawyer in three of the four major criminal cases against him.When Republican Senator John Kennedy asked whether he considered Trump a friend, Blanche replied, “I’m his lawyer — was his lawyer. And now I’m the deputy attorney general.” He added that meeting someone as their criminal defence attorney does not necessarily make them a friend.When asked whether Trump could legally seek a third presidential term in 2028 despite the US Constitution’s two-term limit, Blanche responded, “I don’t believe he is, no.”The Senate Judiciary Committee will next vote on whether to advance Blanche’s nomination to the full Senate, where lawmakers will decide his nomination’s confirmation.