Capitol Hill will host high-profile hearings this week as President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Justice Department faces senators and two Supreme Court justices make an appearance before appropriators.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, whom Trump has tapped to stay on the job long term, will appear in Congress on Wednesday for his confirmation hearing.
Blanche, who previously served as DOJ’s second-in-command, could face questions from the Senate Judiciary Committee about the department’s enforcement of the nation’s environmental laws during the first year of Trump’s second term.
Under Blanche and former Attorney General Pam Bondi, DOJ’s newly renamed Energy and Natural Resources Division saw a dramatic dropoff in enforcement cases and a mass exodus of career staff. Environmental advocates have said they expect more of the same if Blanche is confirmed.
