Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) pressed Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to respond to questions about why Jeffrey Epstein co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell was moved to a minimum security prison camp and demanded answers surrounding the controversial merger between Paramount and Warner Brothers/Discovery when the two got in a fiery back-and-forth.
Booker was questioning Blanche at the Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday on Capitol Hill. The former personal attorney for President Donald Trump turned-nominee for attorney general has faced mounting scrutiny over his handling of the Epstein files and ethics concerns among lawmakers.
"One week after your meeting Ghislaine Maxwell was transferred from a low security federal institution to a minimum security prison camp," Booker said. "Were you involved with that transfer?"
"We learned that she was receiving threats," Blanche said.
Booker pushed back.
"When people are under threats in a prison facility, they're put into solitary confinement or protective custody. They're not moved to a camp," Booker said.
"That's not always true," Blanche said.
Booker then turned the heated line of questioning to the Paramount and Warner Brothers/Discovery merger and DOJ investigation around it.
"Did the career attorneys investigated that deal recommend closing that investigation?" Booker asked.
"I was part of the decision. I don't know whether..." Blanche responded, as Booker interjected him.
"You won't even let me answer, man!" Blanche said.
"I didn't ask you that. I asked you did the career attorneys who investigate the deal recommend closing the investigation?" Booker asked.
"I have no idea," Blanche responded.
Booker: You approved the decision to close the department's investigation into that merger of Paramount and Warner Brothers/Discovery. Yes or no?
Blanche: I was part of the decision
Booker: Did the career attorneys investigated that deal recommend closing that investigation?… pic.twitter.com/Nm3RXO41xH
— Acyn (@Acyn) July 15, 2026