Who is Todd Blanche?
Claims to fame: Trump’s former personal lawyer, deputy attorney general under Pam Bondi, current acting attorney general.
You should know: Todd Blanche is a Trump loyalist. He has protected Trump both before and during his tenure at the Department of Justice (DOJ). Blanche has politicized DOJ, upending generations of independence and integrity. He has used the department’s power to prosecute Trump’s enemies while rewarding his allies. And, he has abused DOJ funds to pay energy companies to cancel offshore wind projects in exchange for investing in fossil fuel projects.
Blanche’s take on the role of the Department of Justice:
Blanche believes it is the president’s “right” and duty” to use DOJ to prosecute his political enemies.
Todd Blanche’s record:
Prior to joining DOJ, Todd Blanche served as Trump’s personal lawyer in both state and federal lawsuits. As deputy attorney general, he has made it clear that his allegiances remain with the president… not the people.
“I’m his lawyer.” – Todd Blanche when asked about his relationship with Trump in his recent confirmation hearing.
Blanche’s record as Trump’s lawyer
In 2023, Blanche represented Trump in two federal criminal cases regarding the obstruction of the 2020 election and the illegal retention of classified government documents. He also represented him in the New York criminal case in which Trump was convicted of 34 felonies.
Despite Trump’s egregious and blatantly illegal conduct, his federal cases were dismissed when he returned to the presidency. Trump was also let off the hook with no prison time for his 34 New York felonies.
Blanche’s record as deputy attorney general
At DOJ, Todd Blanche serves Trump’s interests, not the people’s. He has weaponized the department to carry out Trump’s personal and political vendettas. During his time as deputy and then acting attorney general, Blanche has:
- Cut deals to pay energy companies billions to cancel clean energy projects and redirect money to fossil fuels. Trump’s Department of Interior has pushed multiple companies to cancel offshore wind projects and invest in polluting projects instead. Blanche is trying to use the Justice Department as a slush fund to pay these settlements, allegedly in violation of federal law.
- Mishandled the Epstein scandal. Blanche supervised the release of a series of millions of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, to whom Trump had ties. Despite being required by law to release all of the files by December 2025, DOJ blew the deadline and still hasn’t released all the files. The documents that DOJ released are heavily redacted but still fail to protect the names of the victims of sexual abuse.
- Attempted to create a $1.8 billion slush-fund for Trump supporters using taxpayer money. Blanche settled a case Trump brought against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by creating a slush-fund that would have provided payouts to Trump allies, including January 6th insurrectionists. The fund was recently blocked by a federal court, but litigation continues.
- Attempted to give Trump immunity from IRS audits. In that same settlement, Blanche attempted to give Trump, his family, and his private businesses immunity from tax audits. This would prevent the federal government from ever investigating his taxes from any point prior to the settlement.
- Carried out politically motivated firings at DOJ. Blanche forced out huge numbers of DOJ employees who pursued cases Trump didn’t like, refused to lie in court, or refused to persecute his political enemies.
- Pursued wrongful and retaliatory charges. A Maryland resident, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, was wrongfully deported to El Salvador where he spent several months in a prison notorious for human rights abuses. A judge ordered Abrego Garcia’s release, and Blanche retaliated by baselessly charging Abrego Garcia with human smuggling. The charges were dismissed and found to be vindictive, retaliatory, and an abuse of power.
Take action:
For the future of our democracy, the Senate must not confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general. Call your Senator today and tell them to oppose Todd Blanche’s nomination!
