What Trump’s AG pick has said about LGBTQ+ rights, abortion and the Epstein files

Todd Blanche, who has served as acting Attorney General since April, will appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday for his confirmation hearing. As Trump's former personal lawyer in multiple federal cases, his nomination has raised independence concerns. Per The 19th, under Blanche's leadership the DOJ has shifted civil rights enforcement to emphasize so-called anti-Christian discrimination while scaling back investigations into racial and gender bias. The department has targeted hospitals providing gender-affirming care and restricted funding for violence against women initiatives. Blanche has also overseen Epstein file releases—though a federal judge recently ordered unredacted versions after legal challenges to the department's transparency compliance.

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