Trump’s Acting AG: Todd Blanche’s Audition & DOJ’s Political Cases

Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche is navigating a high-stakes “audition” for the permanent position, marked by a flurry of activity aimed at fulfilling President Donald Trump’s agenda. This comes after he replaced Pam Bondi earlier this month, and as the Justice Department handles significant cases, including the attempted assassination of President Trump and new charges against former FBI Director James Comey.

According to CNN’s chief legal affairs correspondent Paula Reid, speaking on the Today, Explained podcast, Blanche has “really met the moment perfectly” in his early days as acting attorney general. This assessment comes as Blanche oversees the response to the alleged assassination attempt during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, where Cole Tomas Allen was charged, and the recent indictment of James Comey for allegedly threatening the president with a message written in seashells.

Reid noted the difference between the current situation and past controversies within the Trump Justice Department, stating, “That’s all self-inflicted [previously]. But when you’re the attorney general, you’re going to deal with a Boston Marathon bombing or a San Bernardino shooting… That is a real test for the attorney general, and so far it’s been a textbook response from him.”

From Trump Lawyer to Potential Attorney General

Blanche’s path to the acting attorney general position began with a long career as a federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York, followed by work in white-collar practice. He later joined Trump’s legal team around 2023, representing the former president in multiple legal battles, including the federal cases brought by Jack Smith and the New York hush money case.

Reid explained that Blanche distinguished himself from other Trump lawyers, stating, “Todd flourished. Yes, his client was convicted in New York, but he kept him out of jail, and ultimately their legal strategy on the federal cases resulted in Trump never facing trial on either one of those. In Trump’s eyes, Todd Blanche is the guy who kept him out of jail.”

Delivering on “Weaponization”

Since assuming the role of acting attorney general, Blanche has been actively pursuing Trump’s priorities. According to reporting based on conversations with over a dozen high-level DOJ officials, Blanche’s success hinges on delivering on what’s been described as “weaponization” – prosecuting Trump’s political adversaries.

However, this pursuit has faced challenges, as judges and grand juries have been reluctant to approve such prosecutions. Despite these hurdles, Blanche has made it clear that bringing a case against a political adversary is crucial for securing the permanent attorney general position.

MAGA Support and the Epstein Files

While Blanche is generally viewed favorably within the administration, some concerns remain regarding his alignment with the MAGA movement. According to sources, some believe he isn’t “MAGA enough” and hasn’t sufficiently addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files.

One administration official told reporters that the Epstein files represent the “original sin” of the Trump Justice Department, referencing previous Attorney General Pam Bondi’s handling of the release of documents. Blanche has taken over messaging related to the Epstein case and met with Ghislaine Maxwell, overseeing the release of the documents. While this has addressed some concerns, it hasn’t fully resolved the issue for some within the administration.

Competition for the Role

Currently, sources indicate that the job is Blanche’s to lose, though the history of Trump attorney generals suggests instability. Other potential contenders for the position include US Attorney Jeanine Pirro, who publicly displayed her enthusiasm for prosecuting cases related to the recent events at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

As Reid concluded, the role of attorney general under the Trump administration presents “unique challenges,” and it remains to be seen whether Blanche will secure the permanent position.