Republicans risk Todd Blanche hearing chaos with last-minute strategy 'shift': report

Republicans risk Todd Blanche hearing chaos with last-minute strategy 'shift': report centers on the confirmation hearing for acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, where Republicans reportedly had to adjust their approach after Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) died days before the session. Graham, a senior member and former chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, died Saturday at age 71 after a sudden illness. Reporting cited by CBS News described legal trouble for Blanche tied to a federal judge’s decision involving a $1.776 billion fund created as part of a settlement between President Donald Trump and the IRS, with a referral to the New York State Bar for possible disciplinary review. Senators across parties were also expected to question Blanche about the Epstein files and why required documents remain heavily redacted. More than 1,200 former Justice Department officials urged senators to reject him. Blanche emphasized loyalty to Trump during a pre-hearing news conference.