Story perspectives

100+ Judges Call for Ethics Probe of AG Blanche

6/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

Over 100 current and former federal judges have demanded an ethics investigation into Attorney General Todd Blanche because of conflicts of interest from his work for President Donald Trump.
President Donald Trump nominated Blanche for the Attorney General post, with Senate confirmation hearings set for July 15 and July 16.
William Barr endorsed Blanche in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, saying he would run the Justice Department as anyone could under Trump.

History

Historical Context

Richardson’s 1973 resignation as Attorney General, triggered by President Nixon’s order to fire Watergate special prosecutor Archibald Cox, sparked the “Saturday Night Massacre” and a 2,000-page Senate Watergate Committee report chaired by Sam Ervin. That precedent underpins today’s demand by more than 100 federal judges for an ethics probe of Attorney General Todd Blanche over alleged Trump-linked conflicts.

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Story summary

Over 100 current and former federal judges have demanded an ethics investigation into Attorney General Todd Blanche because of conflicts of interest from his work for President Donald Trump.
President Donald Trump nominated Blanche for the Attorney General post, with Senate confirmation hearings set for July 15 and July 16.
William Barr endorsed Blanche in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, saying he would run the Justice Department as anyone could under Trump.

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