WASHINGTON — Todd Blanche’s nomination to serve as attorney general remains unresolved following a contentious confirmation hearing marked by intense scrutiny over his role in establishing a $1.8 billion fund intended for individuals claiming to be victims of Justice Department persecution. The hearing, held on Wednesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee, also raised questions about a related agreement that appeared to grant former President Donald Trump and his family broad immunity from tax investigations.

Senator John Cornyn, a Texas Republican facing the end of his Senate tenure after losing a primary race to a Trump-backed challenger, pressed Mr. Blanche on the details of the fund and the absence of a written commitment from Mr. Trump to end the arrangement. Displaying a text of the tax provision during questioning, Mr. Cornyn expressed reservations about Mr. Blanche’s ability to maintain the balance between upholding Justice Department independence and serving as the president’s legal defender. “It’s a very difficult position to be in,” he said, referring to Mr. Blanche’s dual role as both the president’s personal lawyer and a cabinet member.

Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, another Republican member of the committee, remains undecided but appeared somewhat reassured by Mr. Blanche’s responses, complimenting him on his performance during the hearing. A single Republican "no" vote on the committee would block the nomination from advancing to the full Senate.

Mr. Blanche, who has been acting attorney general since April after the dismissal of his predecessor Pam Bondi, has played a significant role in several high-profile matters involving the former president, including overseeing investigations related to political opponents and involvement in the Jeffrey Epstein case. Before joining the Trump legal team, he was known for his tenure as a federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York.

Democrats on the Judiciary Committee criticized Mr. Blanche for what they characterized as partisanship and loyalty toward Mr. Trump at the expense of prosecutorial ethics. Senator Adam B. Schiff of California questioned whether Mr. Blanche had abandoned the principles he once upheld as a federal prosecutor. In response, Mr. Blanche insisted that he remained committed to enforcing the law impartially, declaring, "I am still here — I am the same exact person I was when I was a federal prosecutor."

During the hearing, Mr. Blanche sought to distinguish himself from Mr. Trump on several issues, including his stance against impeaching federal judges solely for rulings adverse to the president—a position contrasting with Mr. Trump’s vocal support for such actions. Additionally, Mr. Blanche defended the administration’s use of subpoenas targeting journalists, describing reporters as material witnesses in investigations concerning the unauthorized disclosure of classified information.

Tensions surfaced at times, with Mr. Blanche responding sharply to some senators’ inquiries, including a rebuke to Senator Peter Welch of Vermont over questions concerning press protections. He also denied hiring Jared Wise, a January 6 defendant who briefly worked on his staff and later resigned.

Senator Richard J. Durbin, the committee’s top Democrat, framed the confirmation vote as emblematic of broader concerns about the Justice Department’s handling of investigations into former officials, while Committee Chairman Charles E. Grassley argued that the Biden administration’s probes into Mr. Trump represented attacks on the rule of law.

A vote date for Mr. Blanche’s nomination has yet to be set, pending the replacement of Senator Lindsey Graham, who was hospitalized recently. If confirmed, Mr. Blanche would continue leading the Justice Department through the remainder of Mr. Trump’s term, a period closely watched for how the administration directs the nation’s chief law enforcement agency amid ongoing legal and political controversies.