Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleTodd Blanche, President Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general, fired back at an “extraordinarily obnoxious question” about FBI Director Kash Patel at his confirmation hearing Wednesday.Patel is facing several investigations from congressional Democrats over his alleged drinking habits and “misuse” of taxpayer funds while on official business.“How long do you intend to put up with that Kash Patel character?” Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse asked Blanche Wednesday at his Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. “Are you sure he knows what he’s doing? Will you vouch for it?” “That’s an extraordinarily obnoxious question,” Blanche responded. “I have full faith in Director Patel and the work that he’s doing every day.”During questioning, Blanche acknowledged "mistakes" in the release of millions of files from Jeffrey Epstein investigations and was criticized by Sen. Dick Durbin for supporting a "slush fund" intended to benefit January 6 defendants.In fullTodd Blanche confirmation hearing live: Trump’s AG pick says no evidence ‘other men’ joined Epstein’s traffickingMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

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Todd Blanche is heading into a high-stakes test this week in his bid to become attorney general. Key Republicans are still undecided about whether to back his nomination.

Blanche is set to face a pivotal Senate confirmation hearing as GOP senators weigh concerns about his independence from President Donald Trump.