During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Senator Mazie Hirono began her questioning of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche with a query about unwanted sexual favors, a line that has sparked repeated controversy in past confirmations.
The senator asked whether Blanche had ever made unwanted requests for sexual favors or engaged in verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature. Blanche answered, “No, senator.”
Hirono then inquired if Blanche had ever faced discipline or entered into a settlement related to such conduct. He again responded negatively.
Hirono first introduced this line of questioning in 2018, citing the Me Too movement as a catalyst for probing nominees about potential misconduct.
She initially used the approach during a judicial nomination hearing in the previous administration and later applied it in the confirmation hearing for the Secretary of the Interior.
The opening question quickly attracted criticism and ridicule on social media, with many users mocking its relevance and tone.
Detractors described the inquiry as a stunt asked of every nominee, while supporters argued it reflects a broader effort to hold officials accountable for past behavior.
The hearing proceeds with further examination of Blanche’s qualifications and policy positions.
