All articles tagged with #todd blanche
The Justice Department has issued a new memo allowing senior political appointees, including Attorney General Todd Blanche, to participate in political activities such as speaking at rallies and serving as party officers. This reverses stricter Biden-era restrictions and expands on previous loosening of rules by former AG Pam Bondi.
The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated denaturalization proceedings against 40 foreign-born citizens, alleging they concealed criminal histories or committed fraud to obtain citizenship. Filed between August 21 and October 2, 2026, these cases represent the largest single-period filing under the current administration. The charges involve individuals from countries including Colombia, Mexico, and Pakistan, with offenses ranging from money laundering and espionage to sexual abuse of minors.
James Mills, executive director of the Georgia State Election Board, sent a letter to Attorney General Todd Blanche requesting federal intervention in the 2026 midterms, including a ban on QR-code ballot tabulation. Board members, including Chair John Fervier, denied authorizing the letter, calling it an unauthorized act of chaos. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s office condemned the move, while the DOJ has not yet publicly responded.
Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed the Department of Justice will not reopen its criminal investigation into former Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell regarding the central bank’s headquarters renovation. This decision follows a report by the Fed’s independent inspector general, which found no evidence of criminal violations despite noting significant management deficiencies. While Blanche stated that poor oversight is not inherently a crime, he did not rule out future action if an independent auditor uncovers wrongdoing. President Trump rejected the findings, demanding Powell resign from the Fed board, where he remains a member until early 2028.
The Department of Justice will not reopen its criminal investigation into former Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell regarding the central bank’s headquarters renovation. Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed this decision, noting that while the probe is closed, separate action could occur if an independent audit reveals criminal wrongdoing. This follows a report by the Fed’s inspector general, which found no basis for a criminal referral but cited major oversight failures that caused renovation costs to more than double. President Trump rejected the findings, demanding Powell resign from the Board of Governors, where he remains a member through January 2028.
Attorney General Todd Blanche filed a judicial misconduct complaint against six of seven active federal judges in Minnesota, accusing them of violating ethics rules by speaking to the New York Times about the administration's immigration enforcement surge. The complaint, signed by Acting Deputy AG Trent McCotter and Associate AG Stan Woodward, demands that Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz and Judge John Tunheim recuse themselves from all Department of Homeland Security cases. While the DOJ claims the judges engaged in 'overtly political' commentary on pending matters, the judges and court officials argue their statements were protected advocacy for judicial independence under recent Judicial Conference guidance. The move marks a significant escalation in the Trump administration's conflict with the federal judiciary, following previous failed attempts to discipline judges in other districts.
Kurt Olsen, a 2020 election denier and senior counsel in the Southern District of Florida, has stepped down from the Justice Department's 'grand conspiracy' investigation but remains employed by the agency. His departure marks the third prosecutor to leave the case this year, following the exits of Maria Medetis Long and Joe diGenova. The probe, which targets Obama- and Biden-era officials, has faced significant internal turmoil, including misinterpreted resignation emails and security clearance issues, with no charges yet filed.
The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted ten lawful permanent residents in Minnesota for allegedly voting or registering to vote while falsely claiming U.S. citizenship. Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the charges on September 30, 2026, as part of a broader federal crackdown on election integrity ahead of the midterms. The defendants, originating from eight different countries, face felony and misdemeanor charges for actions taken in the 2022, 2024, and August 2026 elections. While officials emphasize the severity of these offenses, critics note that such cases are statistically rare compared to total votes cast.
Kurt Olsen, a 2020 election denier and senior counsel in the Southern District of Florida, has stepped down from the Justice Department's 'grand conspiracy' investigation but remains employed by the agency. The departure follows a confusing internal communication where Olsen’s resignation from the case was misinterpreted as a full resignation from the federal government. Attorney General Todd Blanche publicly dismissed reports of Olsen’s departure as 'fake news,' though officials later clarified that Olsen is no longer assigned to the probe. This marks the third prosecutor to leave the case this year, highlighting ongoing instability and skepticism regarding the investigation's legal basis and management.
Kurt Olsen, a prominent 2020 election denier and former White House official, has resigned from the Justice Department. He was assigned to the Southern District of Florida to assist with the controversial 'grand conspiracy' investigation targeting Trump's political rivals. His departure follows the recent resignation of Joe diGenova, another key figure in the probe, and marks the second major exit from the team in recent weeks.
Attorney General Todd Blanche engaged in a heated debate with ABC’s Martha Raddatz regarding President Trump’s ban on CNN, MS NOW, and Politico. The ban was paused by a federal judge who rejected the administration’s national security justification. Blanche argued that biased reporting poses a security risk, while Raddatz challenged the legal basis of the restriction.
Andrew Bailey, the former Missouri attorney general, is stepping down as FBI co-deputy director after serving for just one year. He cited family reasons for his departure, which follows the earlier exit of Dan Bongino from the same nontraditional role.
Attorney General Todd Blanche argued that 'one-sided' news constitutes a national security threat, justifying the ban on CNN, MS NOW, and Politico. Despite a federal judge's order restoring credentials, the White House barred CNN from Air Force One, citing a 'privilege' rather than a right to access.
Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the White House's exclusion of CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, arguing that access is a privilege rather than a right. On Sunday, Blanche appeared on ABC News to justify the administration's decision to bar CNN from Air Force One pool coverage, citing national security concerns regarding 'inaccurate' reporting. This move followed a temporary restraining order by Judge Timothy Kelly, which had briefly restored credentials but did not resolve the dispute over pool access. The conflict has intensified ahead of the November midterms, with Blanche asserting that the president has a duty to ensure the public receives accurate news, despite a federal judge finding no evidence that the ban was motivated by national security.
The White House removed CNN from the television press pool for President Trump’s trip to Tennessee, leaving no outlet to cover the president on Air Force One. Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the move on Sunday, arguing that access to the White House is a privilege, not a right, and that 'one-sided' reporting poses a national security risk. This action follows a federal judge’s temporary order restoring credentials for CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, but the administration has not replaced CNN in the pool rotation, leaving coverage void.