New Delhi, July 15 -- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche faced intense questioning from both Republicans and Democrats during his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday, defending the Trump administration's controversial Justice Department policies while trying to secure enough Republican support to become attorney general permanently.

Blanche, President Donald Trump's former personal attorney who has led the Justice Department on an interim basis since April, used his opening remarks to argue that the department is rebuilding public confidence after what he described as years of politicization.

Opening the hearing, Blanche said his leadership is focused on repairing faith in the Justice Department.

"In recent years, Americans watc...