Senate Hearing Focuses on Immigration Raids and Election Security

On Wednesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a confirmation hearing for Todd Blanche, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Attorney General. Minnesota Democrat Sen. Amy Klobuchar led the questioning, probing Blanche’s positions on federal immigration enforcement and the deployment of armed federal agents to polling places.

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Klobuchar cited a high-profile ICE operation in St. Paul—where a Hmong elder was taken from his home in winter clothing without a warrant—to ask whether such raids violate constitutional protections. Blanche answered that warrants are generally required “except for limited exceptions,” and emphasized that “the same protections are not afforded people who are here illegally,” indicating a case-by-case assessment rather than a categorical rule.

KMSP - Fox 9 - Minneapolis

The senator also raised concerns about President Trump’s past statements suggesting the use of troops or ICE agents at voting sites. She asked Blanche to commit to “not deploying federal agents to polling locations” in line with Civil-War-era statutes that bar the president from sending armed officials to election sites. Blanche replied that he would “absolutely follow the law no matter what it includes, so yes,” and added he was “not aware of armed agents being at polling places.” When pressed about the administration’s alleged withholding of anti-terrorism funding from non-compliant states, Blanche said the related court cases were still pending and declined further comment.

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Blanche consistently framed his stance as one of legal compliance: he expects law-enforcement agents to follow the law, will adhere to any statutory limits on polling-site deployments, and described election integrity as a priority for the administration. He declined to discuss specific litigation concerning federal funding cuts, noting the matters remain “still being litigated.”

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• “Well, it depends on the circumstances. Obviously, law enforcement agents need a warrant to enter a house, except for limited exceptions to that. We very much believe in the constitutional protections afforded American citizens. The same protections are not afforded people who are here illegally, so it’s not a black and white answer where I can say yes or no. I very much expect the law to be followed by our law enforcement agents.” — Todd Blanche

KMSP - Fox 9 - Minneapolis

• “Well, it depends on the circumstances. Obviously, law enforcement agents need a warrant to enter a house, except for limited exceptions to that. We very much believe in the constitutional protections afforded American citizens. The same protections are not afforded people who are here illegally, so it’s not a black and white answer where I can say yes or no. I very much expect the law to be followed by our law enforcement agents.” — Todd Blanche

KMSP - Fox 9 - Minneapolis

• “I will absolutely follow the law no matter what it includes, so yes.” — Todd Blanche

KMSP - Fox 9 - Minneapolis

• “ Blanche said, "I’m not aware of armed agents being at polling places.” — Todd Blanche

KMSP - Fox 9 - Minneapolis

• “Federal law has made it clear that the president does not have the authority to reply armed federal officials to election sites,” — Amy Klobuchar

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• “Will you commit to following clear federal law and not deploying federal agents to polling locations?” — Amy Klobuchar

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