In a Senate hearing, Blanche defended the work of the Justice Department and Trump.

Former President Donald Trump's former personal attorney, Patrick C. Blanche, defended the Justice Department's actions and Trump's policies during a Senate hearing, addressing a range of issues including the handling of documents related to deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein, antitrust settlements, and the possibility of Trump running for a third presidential term. Blanche emphasized his commitment to restoring public trust in the Justice Department, which he claimed had been eroded over recent years. He highlighted efforts to combat violent crime, organized crime, and fraud through collaboration among federal, state, and local authorities. During his opening remarks, he acknowledged errors in the release of documents tied to Epstein but stated they had since been corrected, noting that approximately one percent of all edits made were necessary following the initial publication. He addressed questions regarding Trump’s pardons of individuals convicted of involvement in the January 6 Capitol attack, stating that while he viewed such pardons as generous in the past, he did not support or celebrate them. He denied allegations from Democratic senators that he advocated violence against law enforcement officers. When asked by Senator Chris Coons whether Trump could run for a third presidential term in 2028 under the U.S. Constitution, Blanche responded that, in his view, Trump was ineligible due to constitutional provisions. This statement sparked a heated exchange with Senator Sheldon Whitehouse concerning FBI Director Kash Patel, whom Blanche criticized for alleged inappropriate spending of public funds on travel with his fiancée. He expressed complete confidence in Patel’s work despite these criticisms. Regarding the antitrust case against Live Nation and Ticketmaster, Blanche asserted that the settlement reached by the Justice Department benefited consumers. When questioned about potential involvement of the White House in the negotiations, he admitted he lacked specific knowledge but noted that the department collaborates with the president’s legal advisors on certain matters. Blanche also confirmed that a controversial fund established following the resolution of Trump’s tax dispute with the IRS had been abandoned. He clarified that a separate tax agreement still exists, binding the IRS and Treasury Department to prevent investigations into Trump and his family members regarding potential tax violations until the settlement was finalized. The outcome of Blanche’s testimony before the Senate remains uncertain. With the recent death of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and the absence of Senator Mitch McConnell due to illness, Republicans hold only a narrow majority in the Judiciary Committee. As a result, they can afford to lose just one vote in any upcoming vote.