Sen. Whitehouse Questions Todd Blanche on Epstein Files, $1.8B Fund

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) challenged Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on July 14, 2026 ^[1].

The questioning centers on the transparency of high-profile investigations and the management of significant federal assets. Because the Deputy Attorney General holds a critical role in the Department of Justice, the scrutiny of Blanche's record regarding the Jeffrey Epstein files and large-scale funding is a focal point for legislative oversight.

During the hearing at the U.S. Capitol, Whitehouse pressed Blanche on his professional history and the handling of documents related to the Epstein investigation ^[1]. The senator's line of questioning focused on whether the files were managed with appropriate transparency, or if specific information remained shielded from public and legal view ^[1].

Beyond the Epstein files, the committee examined the administration of a $1.8 billion fund ^[2]. Whitehouse questioned the oversight of these assets and the specific actions Blanche took or oversaw in relation to the fund's management ^[2]. The proceedings were described as a sharp challenge to Blanche's record as he sought confirmation for his role.

Blanche faced a series of pointed questions designed to reveal potential contradictions in his past record ^[1]. The Senate Judiciary Committee continues to evaluate his fitness for the position based on these testimonies and the evidence presented regarding the $1.8 billion fund ^[2].

Throughout the session, Whitehouse focused on the intersection of legal ethics and government accountability. He sought to establish a clear record of how the Deputy Attorney General handled sensitive materials and vast sums of money before assuming his current responsibilities ^[1].