Todd Blanche’s Controversial Justice Department Moves

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, appointed by President Donald Trump after Pam Bondi’s removal, unveiled a $1.776 billion compensation fund for claimants, granted tax-audit immunity to Trump and his sons, and pursued indictments of FBI Director James Comey and Southern Poverty Law Center. He placed Reagan-era prosecutor Joseph diGenova in charge of a Florida probe into alleged conspiracies against Trump.

Associated Press

Blanche, a former New York federal prosecutor, rose to prominence on Trump’s defense team during the hush-money trial. He became deputy attorney general before being elevated to acting attorney general in May 2026, following a pattern of Trump-appointed AGs who clashed with departmental norms.

HuffPost

Fund size: $1.776 billion. Senate Republicans left Washington without voting on a $70 billion immigration-enforcement bill after the fund’s announcement. Indictments: James Comey and Southern Poverty Law Center. Five commissioners will process claims.

Associated Press

Blanche said the fund is for anyone who believes they were persecuted and that he does not seek a permanent appointment. He called the diGenova probe a disclosure of alleged wrongdoing against the Trump administration. Senate Republicans voiced concern over the fund’s scope, while Sen. Chris Van Hollen accused him of acting as the president’s personal attorney.

Associated Press

Sen. Mitch McConnell called the fund “utterly stupid, morally wrong.” Stephen Saltzburg and David Laufman argued Blanche prioritizes loyalty to Trump over departmental independence, suggesting he would earn an “A+” for Trump-centric loyalty. Critics noted vague eligibility and that Jan. 6 rioters could receive payouts.

Associated Press

Sources disagree on any new evidence from the diGenova investigation, with no concrete findings disclosed. Blanche’s role in creating the fund is unclear; he says it resulted from talks with Trump’s lawyers. Eligibility rules and impact on cases remain vague.

HuffPost

• “So the nation’s top law enforcement official is asking for a slush fund to pay people who assault cops? Utterly stupid, morally wrong — Take your pick,” — Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-KY

Associated Press

• “It’s pretty clear that he’s not the attorney general for the United States as much as he’s the attorney general for President Trump,” — Stephen Saltzburg, GWU law professor, former senior DOJ official

Associated Press

• “willing and ardent accomplice for carrying out any partisan or corrupt scheme the White House may devise.” — David Laufman, former chief of staff to the deputy attorney general (George W. Bush administration)

Associated Press

• “Mr. Attorney General, you are acting today like the president’s personal attorney,” — Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-MD

Associated Press

• “What he is doing is he is seeking justice based on facts and the law,” — Jay Town, former U.S. attorney, Alabama (first Trump administration)

Associated Press

President Trump has signaled a possible nomination of Blanche for the permanent attorney-general role. Blanche will name five commissioners to assess fund claims, and the Justice Department will continue the Comey and SPLC indictments amid heightened congressional oversight.

Associated Press