More than 1,200 former Justice Department employees, who served under both Republican and Democratic administrations, are pressing the Senate to reject Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general. In a letter first reported by MeidasTouch's chief Washington correspondent, Scott MacFarlane, the former officials allege Blanche has fostered a 'culture of fear' within the department, orchestrated politically motivated prosecutions, and undermined the agency's traditional independence from White House influence.
'The consequences of Blanche's attacks on DOJ's apolitical workforce radiate beyond the halls of Main Justice, affecting the entire country,' the letter states. 'They've meant that much of the department's vital work isn't being done, or isn't being done as well—leaving communities less safe, Americans' rights less protected, and our national security more vulnerable. The culture of fear Blanche has instilled within DOJ's workforce must end. Respect for career professionals must return.'
Every president has the right to nominate an attorney general who reflects their policy priorities. Elections have consequences, and voters who chose a candidate promising tougher immigration enforcement or a new approach to criminal justice can expect DOJ leadership to align with those goals. But that is a far cry from expecting the nation's top law enforcement officer to function as the president's personal attorney. Todd Blanche has literally served as Donald Trump's personal lawyer in 2023 and 2024, defending him against two federal indictments and the New York hush-money case. Since becoming acting attorney general, he has continued to act more like Trump's counsel than the country's chief law enforcement officer, pursuing what many legal experts describe as politically driven investigations—including the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey and reportedly opening a DOJ probe into whether writer E. Jean Carroll lied during her civil litigation against Trump, a case the Supreme Court recently declined to review.
Blanche also helped craft the proposed $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund, which was quickly scrapped after bipartisan backlash and legal challenges from critics who opposed compensating January 6 rioters and Trump loyalists. He has been accused of violating his pledge to recuse himself from matters involving conflicts of interest. The scale of opposition is what makes this letter notable. Over 1,200 former DOJ employees, spanning multiple administrations and political backgrounds, felt compelled to publicly warn senators before a confirmation vote. That is an extraordinary number of people sounding the alarm about the leadership of one of the country's most critical institutions.
The Justice Department holds a unique place in American government. Unlike Cabinet agencies that openly implement a president's policy agenda, DOJ has long operated under the expectation that prosecutorial decisions remain insulated from political influence. If I were grading Blanche on his tenure so far, based on the allegations and measurable changes inside the department, he would get an F. The department has reportedly lost roughly 21 percent of its lawyers through firings, buyouts, and resignations. The American Bar Association has warned that top law graduates are increasingly unwilling to work there, and hiring standards have reportedly been lowered to fill vacancies.
We should all expect the Justice Department to be guided first by the law, not by loyalty to any one president. The Senate Judiciary Committee has one job: make the president find a more suitable candidate. This nomination tests the rule of law as Blanche faces bipartisan backlash. The Senate must weigh whether to confirm a nominee who has already shown a willingness to weaponize the department for political ends.
Lindsey Granger is a NewsNation contributor and co-host of The Hill's commentary show 'Rising.' This column is an edited transcription of her on-air commentary.
