Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) questioned witnesses Wednesday during the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing for Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche [1].

The interrogation focused on whether Blanche can maintain independence from President Donald Trump while overseeing the U.S. Department of Justice. This scrutiny comes as the committee evaluates the nominee's approach to sensitive investigations and federal law enforcement priorities [2].

Booker used his time to probe several critical areas of DOJ operations, including the department's funding, and the handling of the Epstein files [1, 3]. He also questioned the panel regarding ICE shootings and the broader policies governing immigration enforcement [1, 4].

The proceedings took place in the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing room in Washington, D.C., marking the second day of the confirmation process [3, 5]. The hearing lasted about five hours [6].

Blanche has served as the acting attorney general since early April 2026 [7], after Pam Bondi was fired [7]. Throughout the questioning, senators sought to determine if the nominee would prioritize political loyalty over the rule of law in the management of the nation's top legal agency [2, 5].

The questioning on the Epstein files and ICE conduct reflects a broader effort by committee members to ensure transparency in cases involving high-profile figures and civil rights concerns [3, 5].

“Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) questioned witnesses during the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing”

The intensity of Senator Booker's questioning underscores the ongoing tension between executive appointment power and the traditional independence of the Department of Justice. By focusing on the Epstein files and ICE conduct, the committee is testing whether the nominee will adhere to established legal norms or pivot the DOJ toward the specific political objectives of the administration.