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.
Analysis Feed
AI commentaryThis event represents a watershed moment in the erosion of DOJ independence. Blanche's explicit claim that Trump has a 'right and duty' to direct investigations of political enemies fundamentally contradicts the post-Watergate reforms that established DOJ independence. His background as Trump's personal defense attorney and his framing of the department as serving the president personally rather than the rule of law signals the completion of DOJ's transformation into a tool of political retribution. The replacement of Pam Bondi and Blanche's acknowledgment of Trump's 'well-publicized desire for retribution' provides clear evidence of intent.