Amna Nawaz
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WATCH: Blanche says he is not friends with President Trump
Posted
July 15, 2026
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July 15, 2026
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2:41Now PlayingSen. John Kennedy, R-La., asked U.S. attorney general nominee Todd Blanche whether he was friends with President Donald Trump, during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“I'm his lawyer,” Blanche said before correcting himself, “was his lawyer.”
Blanche worked as Trump’s defense attorney and represented him in three cases, including the hush money case in New York where Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts.
“I met him as his criminal defense attorney,” Blanche said. “I'm not sure there's very many people who have ever had a criminal defense attorney who calls that person their friend.”
Kennedy then went on to ask Blanche whether he is responsible for all of Trump’s decisions.
“No, Senator I’m not,” Blanche said. He added that he tells the president the truth when asked for his opinion and has at times disagreed with actions Trump has taken.
“Has he ever asked you to do anything illegal?,” Kennedy asked. “Would you do it if he asked you?”
“Absolutely not,” Blanche responded.
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., asked U.S. attorney general nominee Todd Blanche whether he was friends with President Donald Trump, during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“I'm his lawyer,” Blanche said before correcting himself, “was his lawyer.”
Blanche worked as Trump’s defense attorney and represented him in three cases including the hush money case in New York where Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts.
“I met him as his criminal defense attorney,” Blanche said. “I'm not sure there's very many people who have ever had a criminal defense attorney who calls that person their friend.”
Kennedy then went on to ask Blanche whether he is responsible for all of Trump’s decisions.
“No, Senator I’m not,” Blanche said. He added that he tells the president the truth when asked for his opinion and that Trump has at times taken actions he disagrees with.
“Has he ever asked you to do anything illegal?,” Kenendy asked. “Would you do it if he asked you?”
“Absolutely not,” Blanche responded.
Blanche stepped into the role of acting attorney general after Pam Bondi was fired in early April. This is the first of two days of confirmation hearings the committee has scheduled.
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