Amna Nawaz
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WATCH: Sen. Gillibrand questions Blanche about public safety concerns due to Trump cuts
Posted
May 19, 2026
Views
3,356
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May 19, 2026
3,356
165
4.92%
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3:33Now PlayingSen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., questioned acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Tuesday in a hearing before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee.
Blanche was invited to testify on President Donald Trump’s 2027 budget request for the Justice Department, facing questions on a number of issues.
Gillibrand raised concerns about the Justice Department ending programs on “all sorts of things, from drugs, to gun trafficking, to community policing, to cops programs.”
“Do you think that China, Iran, Russia want to do us harm and would undermine our elections?” Gillibrand asked Blanche.
Blanche answered “yes.”
“Why did you delete the whole department, then, that is supposed to protect against the undermining of our elections?” Gillibrand asked. The Justice Department, under the leadership of former Attorney General Pam Bondi, disbanded the FBI’s Foreign Influence Task Force.
Blanche said the task force was composed of agents living in Washington, D.C., “not around the country where we needed them.” He said instead that every state has established a Homeland Security Task Force that works with state and local officials and is focused on election integrity.
“I want a complete report on this, because I don't have confidence that you are doing what needs to be done,” Gillibrand said.
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