Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche made his case Wednesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee on why he's qualified to run the Justice Department with full powers.

Blanche, who has served in the acting role since April, highlighted his efforts so far as the country's top law-enforcement officer and the Trump administration's in its roughly first 18, telling the committee "murders are down roughly 20% nationwide."

"We have the lowest murder rate since 1900," Blanche continued. "Violent crime arrests are up nearly 114%."

Blanche also highlighted the Justice Department's efforts to combat child exploitation and human trafficking. 

"We've taken almost 5,000 child predators and human traffickers off the streets, and the Department of Justice has filed nearly 100,000 indictments and informations since January 20, 2025," he said.

He praised law enforcement operations in Memphis, Tennessee, and Washington, D.C., saying they have helped make those cities safer.

Towards the end of his opening remarks, Blanche stated restoring confidence in the Justice Department remains one of his top priorities. 

"Above all, we are restoring American trust," he said, arguing the department had lost the public's confidence in recent years.

Blanche has served as acting attorney general since President Trump replaced Pam Bondi. 

Although Blanche staunchly defended his record, he will face challenging questions from committee members regarding how the Justice Department handled the Epstein Files, and Trump's IRS lawsuit that resulted in the "Anti-Weaponization Fund." 

He will likely need a yes vote from every Republican on the Judiciary Committee to be "confirmed" and "recommended" out of the committee for a final, full-Senate vote, considering all of the Democrats will almost certainly vote no.