Todd Blanche testifies at Senate confirmation hearing for attorney general.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee on July 15, 2026, for his confirmation hearing to permanently lead the Justice Department. Senators questioned Blanche on his independence from President Trump, the handling of the Epstein files, a controversial IRS settlement creating an anti-weaponization fund, and other DOJ actions. Key Republicans including Sens. Cornyn and Tillis expressed reservations but did not signal outright opposition.
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Divergence score
This event sits in the top 6% of divergence this week. 17 outlets covered it, splitting into 16 framing camps across 4 bias groups.
16 camps
4 bias groups
The spectrum · how 17 outlets placed this story
LeftCenterRight
Washington Examiner
NPR
Newsmax
CNN
Daily Wire
The Federalist
The Hill
Breitbart
Washington Times
South China Morning Post
Axios
New York Times
PBS NewsHour
NBC News
CBS News
NY Post
Mother Jones
Supportive of action
Neutral
Dismissive
Critical
Alarmist
International angle
The split, in one line
The right highlights Blanche standing his ground against Democratic attacks and defending Trump-era transparency. The left and international press focus on his slip-up calling himself Trump's lawyer and the unprecedented misconduct allegations from a federal judge. Wires note the bipartisan skepticism.
How each outlet covered it
Two readings of the same facts
The left and the right lead with different language. The loaded words each chose are highlighted.
THE LEFT
“Senator Presses for Scrutiny of Blanche's Role in Spiking Clemency Inquiry”T New York Times LEFT
47DIVERGENCE
THE RIGHT
“Acting AG Todd Blanche tangles with Dems over Trump, more in fiery confirmation hearing”NYP NY Post RIGHT
DOWN THE MIDDLE
“Blanche when asked if he's Trump's friend: 'I'm his lawyer — was his lawyer'” · The Hill, South China Morning Post, Axios, PBS NewsHour
+Hide the full sourcingSee how all 17 outlets put it
LEFT4
NPRNPR Takeaways from Todd Blanche's confirmation hearing for attorney general 1d ago CNNCNN Confirmation hearings, fiery train, predicting Alzheimer's risk: Catch up on the day's stories 1d ago TNew York Times Senator Presses for Scrutiny of Blanche's Role in Spiking Clemency Inquiry 1d ago MJMother Jones Todd Blanche Just Opened the Door to a National Abortion Ban 1h ago LEFT-CENTER2
NBCNBC News Blanche questioned on Epstein files, crime and IRS settlement in confirmation hearing 22h ago CBSCBS News Senators on both sides question Todd Blanche's independence 21h ago CENTER3
HThe Hill Blanche when asked if he's Trump's friend: 'I'm his lawyer — was his lawyer' 1d ago AAxios Blanche sidesteps questions on federal agents at election sites 5h ago PBSPBS NewsHour What Blanche said about Trump, Epstein files during confirmation hearing for attorney general - PBS 21h ago RIGHT7
WEWashington Examiner Five takeaways from Todd Blanche hearing as Trump's attorney general pick gains more GOP favor 10h ago NMNewsmax Blanche Faces Tough AG Hearing, Insists He's Not Trump's 'Yes Man' - Newsmax 1d ago DWDaily Wire Blanche Slams Dem's 'Extraordinarily Obnoxious' Attack On Kash Patel 1d ago FThe Federalist AG Nominee Blanche: Trump's DOJ Believes Biden's Lax Abortion Pill Rules Are Wrong 1d ago BBreitbart Whitehouse: Blanche 'Affirmatively Committing Wrongful Acts as Acting Attorney General' 18h ago WTWashington Times AG nominee Todd Blanche takes responsibility for Epstein files mistakes 1d ago NYPNY Post Acting AG Todd Blanche tangles with Dems over Trump, more in fiery confirmation hearing 5h ago 12 tracked claims across 17 outlets
Fact ledger
All12Claimed5Corroborated7
3/17
Claimed
Blanche verbally slipped and said 'I'm his lawyer' when asked if he was Trump's friend.
Corroborated
Disputed
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