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 forever discharges each of the plaintiffs from and is hereby forever barred and precluded from prosecuting or pursuing any and all claims, counterclaims, causes of actions, appeals, requests for any reliefs," DeLauro read. "I mean, this is an order from you, but you're not prepared," she said. "You are prepared to say that the president and his family will be, are barred, are immune. That's a yes.""No, it was not a yes. I had not answered the question. I can'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 moving forward with this second order," DeLauro pushed back."It's not moving forward. There's a settlement," Blanche said. "There's a settlement that the IRS entered into with President Trump and others, his family and his companies as part of that settlement. As is customary in IRS settlements. There's a separate AG order," Blanche said.DeLauro was stunned by Blanche's comments and made it known."Friends, listen to what is being said here today here," she said. "This is really pretty extraordinary, that we are going to forever barred and precluded from examining or prosecuting the president, his sons and the Trump organization's current tax filings. Simply put, you just gave the president's family a tax immunity to the tune of about $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.
