Senator Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, opened the second day of hearings on July 16 for the nomination of Todd Blanche to be Attorney General of the United States. Grassley said that Blanche demonstrated his legal, prosecutorial, and leadership abilities during hours of testimony before the committee.
“Mr. Blanche’s responses exhibited his extensive legal, prosecutorial and leadership qualities. He’s well qualified to serve as our nation’s chief law enforcement officer,” Grassley said in his prepared statement.
The hearing continued with testimony from an outside panel of witnesses. John Ashcroft, former United States Attorney General under President George W. Bush and a former Missouri Attorney General, Governor, and Senator, was introduced as one of three majority witnesses. “Mr. Ashcroft understands how to lead the Justice Department free from political influence,” Grassley said.
Jennifer Bos was also introduced as a witness. Grassley described her as an Angel Mom who lost her daughter Megan in circumstances involving an undocumented immigrant and local policies that he characterized as inadequate for public safety or justice delivery. “Ms. Bos had no recourse until President Trump learned of the case and ensured that the man was detained by ICE,” Grassley said.
Jon Adler, president of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association Foundation and a first responder at Ground Zero on 9/11 with decades in law enforcement training roles in New York, was also scheduled to testify about his experiences working alongside Blanche.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is responsible for reviewing legislation related to constitutional protections and public safety nationwide through its legislative and oversight duties; it is led by a chairperson overseeing meetings with members from both major parties. It serves as a standing committee based in Washington D.C., exerting influence over federal law enforcement policy decisions across civil rights issues, according to the official website.