Grassley, 92, stumbles over names and party labels at attorney general hearing

Senator Chuck Grassley, the 92-year-old Republican from Iowa, opened a confirmation hearing for acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Wednesday by repeatedly stumbling over names and party labels, drawing attention to his age during a proceeding that could determine Blanche's future in the Justice Department.

Grassley, chairing the hearing as Senate Judiciary Committee chairman, introduced Blanche as "Mr. Branch" instead of "Mr. Blanche," according to Mediaite. He also urged his "Democart colleagues" to look into "the mayor", apparent verbal gaffes that Raw Story reported as the senator struggling through his remarks.

2 sources

MediaiteIntroducing ‘Mr. Branch’: Chuck Grassley, 92, Butchers Todd Blanche’s Name During AG HearingRaw StoryFumbling 92-year-old Republican struggles through remarks at 'Mr. Branch' hearing

"As sure as sunrise, today, some of my Democart colleagues"

The misstep came at a critical moment for Blanche, President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer who has served as acting attorney general since April. Trump pushed out former Attorney General Pam Bondi over her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, according to NPR, as reported by Raw Story. A single Republican "no" vote on the committee could kill Blanche's nomination, NPR noted.

Grassley, who has served in the Senate since 1981, has faced increasing scrutiny over his age and fitness for office. The hearing Wednesday offered a fresh reminder of the challenges facing the oldest member of the Senate as he presides over high-stakes judicial and executive nominations.