Columbia Standard

U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin questioned Todd Blanche, President Donald Trump's nominee for Deputy Attorney General, during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Blanche has previously represented Trump in various criminal cases, including the hush money prosecution and investigations related to classified documents and the January 6 insurrection.

Durbin's questions centered on reports that Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove ordered a list of FBI employees involved in the January 6 investigation. Durbin asked Blanche if he believed the Capitol insurrection should be investigated, to which Blanche responded affirmatively.

Durbin highlighted the involvement of approximately 5,000 FBI agents in what he described as "the largest criminal investigation in the history of the Department of Justice." He expressed concern over disclosing these agents' identities, questioning how such disclosure could be justified when many were simply fulfilling their assignments.

Blanche acknowledged that as a U.S. Attorney, he did not have the luxury of choosing his cases. Durbin detailed crimes committed by January 6 insurrectionists and mentioned Guy Reffitt's conviction and subsequent pardon by Trump. Reffitt later supported Kash Patel's nomination as FBI Director despite allegations against Patel.

Durbin questioned whether Blanche would commit to stopping efforts to disclose information that might endanger FBI agents' safety if confirmed. Blanche stated, "we will never do anything to put the lives of the family or the agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in danger."

Durbin concluded by emphasizing concerns about morale at the FBI due to this unprecedented request for disclosure.