WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump's nominees for two of the administration's most senior national security and law enforcement posts faced contentious Senate confirmation hearings on Wednesday and Thursday, with lawmakers from both parties pressing the candidates over their independence, past actions and handling of politically sensitive matters.
Todd Blanche, Trump's nominee for attorney general, appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee for a second day of questioning after senators scrutinized his previous role as Trump's personal attorney and his leadership as acting attorney general. Democrats challenged Blanche over the Justice Department's handling of investigations, reporter subpoena policies and files related to financier Jeffrey Epstein, while some Republicans also questioned how he would maintain the department's independence. Blanche told senators he would enforce the law impartially and denied that the department was targeting journalists, saying subpoenas were directed at investigations into national security leaks.
Separately, Jay Clayton, Trump's nominee for director of national intelligence, faced questioning before the Senate Intelligence Committee over subpoenas issued to New York Times journalists during his tenure as U.S. attorney for Manhattan. Clayton defended the subpoenas as part of a national security leak investigation and said he respected press freedoms. Democratic senators also questioned him about the 2020 presidential election and the political independence of the intelligence community.
The hearings highlighted continuing partisan divisions over Trump's nominees, although several Republicans emphasized the need to fill key leadership positions. As of Thursday, the Senate had not voted on either nomination, and both confirmation processes remained ongoing.
