Acting AG Todd Blanche Claims Trump Has 'Right and Duty' to Order Investigations Into Political Enemies

In his first press conference as acting attorney general, Todd Blanche—Trump's former personal defense attorney—asserted that President Trump has both the "right" and "duty" to direct the Department of Justice to investigate his political opponents. Blanche dismissed concerns about DOJ independence as "completely false" and defended Trump's authority to guide federal investigations, including those targeting individuals who previously investigated the president. The remarks signal a dramatic departure from traditional DOJ independence, with Blanche indicating the department would function as the president's personal law firm rather than an impartial law enforcement agency. When asked about replacing Pam Bondi as attorney general, Blanche stated that "nobody" other than Trump knows why the change was made, while acknowledging Trump's "well-publicized desire for retribution."

"President Donald Trump has a 'right' and 'duty' to order the Department of Justice to investigate his political enemies." — Statement made during Blanche's first press conference as acting attorney general when defending Trump's authority to direct DOJ investigations and dismissing concerns about department independence.