Full Breakdown
Todd Blanche Faces Opposition to Metropolitan Club Membership
4/28/2026, 11:51:14 PM
Membership Controversy
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, former personal lawyer to former President Donald Trump, has applied for membership in Washington’s Metropolitan Club. At least six members have sent letters to the club’s board objecting, citing concerns that his DOJ leadership threatens the club’s institutional integrity.
Background & Context
Founded in 1900, the Metropolitan Club counts senior judges, university leaders and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell among its members. Members say the DOJ under Blanche has pursued investigations seen as targeting individuals and groups represented in the club, including a recent Federal Reserve probe that ended the Friday before the letters.
Data & Statistics
Six members have formally submitted objections. The club’s roster includes at least one high-profile federal official, Jerome Powell, and numerous judges.
Official Statements & Responses
The Justice Department announced the closure of its criminal investigation into Jerome Powell and the Federal Reserve on the Friday before the letters. The Metropolitan Club’s board has not issued a public comment on the membership request.
Criticism & Opposition
Members argue Blanche’s public endorsement of using the Justice Department to target political opponents undermines the club’s purpose as a venue for civil discourse. They say the department’s “combative and aggressive” posture conflicts with the club’s standards of conduct.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He is targeting a lot of people, and the Justice Department is targeting a lot of the members of the club, like judges, nonprofit organizations and universities.” — Anonymous Metropolitan Club member
- “I am disappointed that the club's standards are slipping on so many levels and can only hope that the club leadership will recover, grab the rudder and set us on a smooth sail once again,” — Anonymous Metropolitan Club member
- “The Trump administration is at war with most American institutions, and so the people who represent those institutions, many of them are at the club,” — Anonymous Metropolitan Club member
- “And the club is the kind of place where you want to be able to relax and have a congenial conversation. But if he's in there, given that the Justice Department is so combative and aggressive, this is not the kind of tone that we want.” — Anonymous Metropolitan Club member
Why It Matters
The dispute highlights tension between a senior official’s perceived politicization of prosecutorial power and the neutrality expected by elite private institutions. Members fear admitting Blanche could legitimize aggressive DOJ tactics, eroding confidence among the club’s judicial and academic members.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
No public response from the Metropolitan Club’s leadership or from Todd Blanche has been reported, leaving the outcome of the membership application uncertain.
What’s Next
The Metropolitan Club’s board will review the objection letters and decide whether to approve or reject Blanche’s membership request.
