Washington – Deputy Attorney General candidate Todd Blanche closed efforts by Democrat senators on Wednesday to characterize the recent Department of Justice (DOJ) decision as “retaliation” against President Donald Trump’s opponents .
During the confirmation hearing, Blanche emphasized that politics “doesn’t play a role” in decision-making as a DOJ official, and in his time as Trump’s lawyer, prosecutors said. He emphasized that he taught him how power can be weaponized.
“It’s important to remember that while the Department of Justice can save lives, it can ruin lives,” he said in his opening statement.
Blanche describes his career as a federal prosecutor in New York, saying he is “not an insider in Washington,” focusing on members of violent gangs. If confirmed, he said he intends to “continue the mission launched on January 20th” by indicting gangs and terrorists.
The DOJ has already begun cracking down on illegal immigration, and has begun filing lawsuits relating to sanctuary cities policies that prevent federal authorities from enforcing immigration laws and prevent Attorney General Pam Bondy from withdrawing funds from sanctuary cities. Masu.
AG vice candidate Todd Blanche will make his opening statement at the confirmation hearing.
“The Department of Justice can save lives, but it can ruin lives. I always have this fact in mind, and politics should not play a role in the Department of Justice.” pic.twitter.com/uqfi6t0oiu
– Katelynn Richardson (@katesrichardson) February 12, 2025
Bondi issued More than 12 orders after she was sworn on February 5th include The establishment of Weaponization Working Group, which will play a key role in the lead if Blanche is confirmed. The group investigates former special advisor Jack Smith’s efforts to target Trump, potential cooperation with local prosecutors who filed a lawsuit against him, and prosecutions of life supporters.
During the hearing, Democrat Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin referenced the efforts by Associate Attorney General Emil Bove to collect. name Of the FBI agents who worked on the January 6th prosecution, their names will be made public and suggest that the agents will be removed politically.
Blanche explained that this is “not his reading” of the situation and that he is gathering names to ensure that DOJ “doesn’t happen again.”
Democrat California Sen. Adam Schiff asked Blanche if it was a conflict of interest to join a weaponization working group and whether he would refuse to oversee an investigation related to a case in which he worked as a lawyer for Trump. I asked.
“I will follow the rules spoken to me by experts, career prosecutors in the department,” Blanche said.
Sen. Durbin on illegal purges of DOJ law enforcement officials: Donald Trump and his handpicked advisors have realized the threat of retaliation.
“These HR actions are naked and political.” pic.twitter.com/3mxc5bwyxs
– Senate Judicial Democrat (@judiciarydems) February 12, 2025
Trump candidate Gale Slater, the DOJ’s anti-trust division attorney general, also asked questions during the hearing, but most senators focused their time on Blanche.
Blanche represented Trump in a criminal trial in Manhattan and was brought by Smith in both federal cases. He described being a Trump lawyer as the “bigest job” he had ever had.
“It certainly opened my eyes to what happens when politics replaces justice,” he said.
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