Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche faced tough questioning Wednesday over his ties to President Donald Trump, the Jeffrey Epstein investigation and the Justice Department's independence as he sought Senate confirmation to serve as the nation's next attorney general.

According to Reuters' coverage of the hearing, Democrats argued Blanche's years as Trump's personal defense attorney raised questions about whether he could oversee the Justice Department independently, while Blanche insisted he would enforce the law without political favoritism.

Blanche told senators he is "not the president's yes man" and said he would resign rather than carry out an unlawful order, pushing back against accusations that he would put Trump's interests ahead of the department's responsibilities.

Blanche said that if confirmed, his client would no longer be Trump but "the United States," arguing that his previous role representing Trump as a private attorney should not be confused with his responsibilities as attorney general.

Blanche is seeking to succeed Pam Bondi, who served as Trump's attorney general before leaving the post and being replaced by Blanche in an acting capacity.

Trump later nominated Blanche to serve as attorney general permanently.

Democrats repeatedly pressed Blanche over whether he could maintain the Justice Department's independence from the White House, including questions about Trump's challenges to the 2020 election and other politically sensitive matters.

Blanche said no one, including the president, is above the law and argued that prosecutors must make decisions based on facts and evidence rather than political pressure.

The hearing also featured extensive questioning over the Justice Department's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation and the release of identifying information belonging to some victims.

Blanche apologized to Epstein survivors over the disclosure, acknowledging mistakes were made and saying the department acted to correct the problem after it was discovered.

He also defended the department's review of Epstein-related material, saying investigators found no evidence that Epstein trafficked victims to other powerful men while pledging that any credible new evidence would be investigated.

The nomination has drawn opposition from former Justice Department officials and Epstein survivors who say they lack confidence in Blanche's leadership of the department.

More than 1,200 former Justice Department employees previously signed a letter urging the Senate to reject Blanche's nomination, arguing his record raised concerns about the department's independence and the traditional separation between the Justice Department and the White House.

The group includes former federal prosecutors and career Justice Department lawyers who served under both Republican and Democratic administrations.

Several Epstein survivors also have urged senators to reject Blanche, arguing the department's handling of Epstein-related disclosures damaged victims' trust and raised concerns about whether the investigation is receiving adequate scrutiny.

The hearing also included criticism from within Republican ranks.

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, questioned Blanche about the administration's proposed $1.776 billion Anti-Weaponization Litigation Fund, which drew scrutiny over whether taxpayers could be exposed to costs from settlements involving claims of government misconduct.

Blanche said the fund had been abandoned and pledged that the Justice Department would remain accountable to taxpayers.

Blanche also outlined his priorities if confirmed, saying the Justice Department would focus on fighting violent crime, dismantling drug cartels, securing the border, and restoring public confidence in federal law enforcement.

Republicans have defended Blanche as an experienced former federal prosecutor and defense attorney who they say is committed to restoring public confidence in a Justice Department they argue became politicized under the Biden administration.