Story perspectives

Ethics Complaint Filed Against Trump's Attorney for Conflicts

1/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

An ethics watchdog group filed a complaint against Todd Blanche, President Trump's criminal defense attorney and deputy attorney general, alleging federal conflict-of-interest violations.
The complaint says Blanche benefited from DOJ policy ending cryptocurrency investigations while he held assets.
He signed an ethics agreement to divest but transferred his holdings to family after issuing the policy.
The Campaign Legal Center seeks an investigation, and a DOJ spokesperson called the complaint baseless.

History

Historical Context

The Ethics in Government Act of 1978 emerged as a crucial response to the Watergate scandal, which exposed significant ethical lapses in U.S. governance. This legislation aimed to establish standards for federal officials to prevent conflicts of interest. Ongoing scrutiny of ethical conduct, including Todd Blanche's alleged violations, highlights the persistent challenges of maintaining integrity within the Department of Justice and the broader political landscape.

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Story summary

An ethics watchdog group filed a complaint against Todd Blanche, President Trump's criminal defense attorney and deputy attorney general, alleging federal conflict-of-interest violations.
The complaint says Blanche benefited from DOJ policy ending cryptocurrency investigations while he held assets.
He signed an ethics agreement to divest but transferred his holdings to family after issuing the policy.
The Campaign Legal Center seeks an investigation, and a DOJ spokesperson called the complaint baseless.

1 / 2