A Democratic lawmaker blasted Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Tuesday and called out the immunity order issued by the Justice Department that granted President Donald Trump, his family and associates immunity from any future IRS investigations.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) pressed Blanche — Trump's former personal lawyer — to answer questions about the decision during the House Appropriations Committee hearing on the Justice Department. Blanche admitted during the Capitol Hill hearing that the Justice Department would not move forward with its "anti-weaponization fund" following outcry from both lawmakers and the public.
And in DeLauro's line of questioning, she expressed frustration towards Blanche, shaking her head and scoffing at his responses after he said the order was "not blanket immunity." Then she read the order directly to him.
"United States releases,waives, acquits and foreverdischarges each of theplaintiffs from and is herebyforever barred and precludedfrom prosecuting or pursuing anyand all claims, counterclaims,causes of actions, appeals,requests for any reliefs," DeLauro read.
"Imean, this isan order from you, but you'renot prepared," she said. "You are preparedto say that the president andhis family will be, are barred, are immune. That's ayes."
"No, it was not a yes. I hadnot answered the question. Ican't answer if you want me to," Blanche said.
Blanche argued that the Justice Department and Trump administration would not move forward with the $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund." But DeLauro wanted answers — and not just about the fund.
"OK. But you are movingforward with this second order," DeLauro pushed back.
"It's not moving forward.There's a settlement," Blanche said. "There's asettlement that the IRS enteredinto with President Trump andothers, his family and hiscompanies as part of thatsettlement. As is customary inIRS settlements. There's aseparate AG order," Blanche said.
DeLauro was stunned by Blanche's comments and made it known.
"Friends, listen to what isbeing said here today here," she said. "This is really prettyextraordinary, that we are goingto forever barred and precludedfrom examining or prosecutingthe president, his sons and the Trump organization's currenttax filings. Simply put, youjust gave the president's familya tax immunity to the tune ofabout $100 million."
"Not true," Blanche said.
"Well, yes, you have, my friend," DeLauro said.
She called out Blanche's conflict of interest.
"The Save America PAC paid you nearly $10 million in 2024 to serve as President Trump's personal defense attorney! My God, do you not find there's any conflict of interest in what you are doing here as the acting attorney general of the US?" DeLauro asked.