Acting AG Defends Trump's 'Duty' to Prosecute Perceived Enemies

Blanche says president has constitutional obligation to target those who indicted him

Apr. 8, 2026 at 3:22pm

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America's top law enforcement officer, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, told reporters that it is Donald Trump's presidential 'duty' to pursue prosecutions of the men and women who once sought to put him behind bars. Blanche, who previously served as Trump's personal criminal defense lawyer, framed the president's desire for prosecutions not as political retaliation, but as a constitutional obligation.

Why it matters

Blanche's comments raise concerns that the Department of Justice has been converted into an instrument of presidential vengeance, undermining the DOJ's institutional independence. This comes as grand juries have declined to indict some of Trump's perceived political enemies, and career prosecutors have signaled a lack of trial-worthy evidence.

The details

Blanche was responding to a question about whether Trump's repeated calls to prosecute perceived political enemies constituted undue pressure on the DOJ. He left little ambiguity in his answer, stating: 'It is true that some of them involve men, women, and entities that the president, in the past, has had issues with and believes should be investigated. That is his right, and indeed it is his duty to do that, meaning, to lead this country.' Blanche simultaneously insisted the department was not targeting Trump's political enemies, arguing that it was the Biden-era DOJ that had 'weaponised' federal law enforcement.

  • Blanche was elevated from deputy to acting attorney general after Trump fired Pam Bondi on April 2, 2026.
  • Blanche represented Trump in the New York hush-money case, which ended in Trump's conviction on 34 felony counts in May 2024.
  • Blanche also led the defense in two federal cases brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith, both of which were abandoned after Trump won the November 2024 election.

The players

Todd Blanche

The acting attorney general who previously served as Donald Trump's personal criminal defense lawyer.

Donald Trump

The former president who Blanche says has a 'duty' to pursue prosecutions of those who indicted him.

Pam Bondi

The former attorney general who was abruptly dismissed by Trump, reportedly due to her failure to secure prosecutions of his political adversaries.

Gavin Newsom

The governor of California whose office called Blanche's remarks an open admission that the DOJ has been converted into an instrument of presidential vengeance.

James Comer

The chairman of the House Oversight Committee who accused Bondi of 'completely whiffing' on the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.

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What they’re saying

“It is true that some of them involve men, women, and entities that the president, in the past, has had issues with and believes should be investigated. That is his right, and indeed it is his duty to do that, meaning, to lead this country.”

— Todd Blanche, Acting Attorney General

“When I see reporting about shock and awe at this supposed weaponisation of this Department of Justice, it means nothing to me, because it's completely false.”

— Todd Blanche, Acting Attorney General

What’s next

The House Oversight Committee has issued a subpoena demanding Blanche's appearance for a deposition, with Chairman James Comer accusing Bondi of 'completely whiffing' on the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. Blanche has sidestepped the outstanding subpoena, saying he would leave the matter 'to Chairman Comer and others to figure out.'

The takeaway

Blanche's comments and the circumstances surrounding his elevation to acting attorney general raise serious concerns about the independence of the Department of Justice and its potential use as a political weapon by the president. This development further erodes public trust in the impartial administration of justice.