The Senate Judiciary Committee kicked off the confirmation hearing for Todd Blanche, who is seeking a promotion from acting attorney general to the real thing. Given his track record, the promotion might come with a raise but apparently not with a willingness to answer direct questions.

Senator Amy Klobuchar asked Blanche whether he would ensure federal agents aren't deployed to polling sites during the November midterm elections. Blanche's response: "I will commit to following the law." That's a bit like promising to breathe air - technically reassuring, but not exactly specific. Klobuchar pressed: "Do you understand why voters are concerned about armed agents at polling places?" Blanche replied he wasn't "aware" of that concern. Perhaps he missed the widespread backlash to Donald Trump's stated desire to "nationalize" elections, which is about as popular as a skunk at a garden party.

Blanche also refused to answer questions from Senator Richard Blumenthal about the clemency Trump granted to David Gentile, a private equity executive who had just started a seven-year sentence for a $1.6 billion fraud scheme. Blanche declined to discuss his knowledge or involvement, despite having opined on other investigations earlier that morning. Consistency is a virtue, but apparently not one Blanche is aiming for.

On a more constitutional note, Blanche confirmed he does "not believe" Trump could run for another term. The 22nd Amendment agrees, but it's nice to have the acting AG on the same page as the founding document.

Democrats questioned the fate of the $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund" created to compensate Trump's allies. Blanche insisted it's "dead," saying, "No money went from the treasury to any other account." Senator Chris Coons seemed skeptical, but Blanche doubled down: "I'm under oath today, and I've said it's dead repeatedly." Dead as a doornail? Or dead as a campaign promise? Time will tell.

The hearing got spicy when Senator Sheldon Whitehouse grilled Blanche about FBI Director Kash Patel's alleged misconduct - excessive drinking, unexplained absences, and suspicious travel. Blanche called the question "extraordinarily obnoxious" and declared "full faith" in Patel. Patel, for his part, has denied the allegations and sued The Atlantic for $250 million. Because nothing says "I'm innocent" like a defamation lawsuit with a nine-figure price tag.

Blanche also defended the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein files, admitting "mistakes were made" with redactions that exposed survivors' names. He promised to fix them, which is the bare minimum, but Senator Dick Durbin wasn't impressed: "You're dancing on the head of a pin here."

In his opening statement, Blanche claimed the US has the "lowest murder rate since 1900" - a statistic that only goes back to the 1950s, but who's counting? He also said homicides in DC are down "about 60%" and Memphis crime dropped "more than 40%." Actual numbers: DC murders down 32%, Memphis overall crime down 27% year-over-year. Close enough for government work?

Senator Durbin slammed Blanche for establishing the $2 billion fund for January 6 defendants, calling it a "mistake" that Blanche refused to rescind. Blanche also clashed over his hiring of Jared Wise, a January 6 rioter, which he denied. The hearing continues, proving that confirmation hearings are 90% theatrics and 10% substance - and that's being generous.