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New Acting Attorney General Defends Trump's Pursuit of Prosecutions
Blanche says media tolerated 'weaponization' of Justice Department against former president
Apr. 7, 2026 at 6:49pm
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The new acting Attorney General's defense of the Justice Department's 'weaponization' against political opponents raises concerns about the impartiality of federal prosecutions.NYC TodayIn his first public remarks since being appointed acting Attorney General, Todd Blanche chastised reporters for questioning President Trump's pursuit of prosecutions against political opponents. Blanche said the media had tolerated four years of Justice Department 'weaponization' against Trump, including two federal indictments and DOJ assistance for local prosecutors in Georgia and New York.
Why it matters
Blanche's comments reflect the new administration's aggressive stance toward investigating and prosecuting Trump's political rivals, raising concerns about the independence and impartiality of the Justice Department under the new leadership.
The details
Blanche, who previously served as a defense lawyer for Trump, said the former president is on firm footing to call for prosecutions, stating 'That is his right, and indeed it is his duty to do that.' Blanche declined to speculate on why Trump fired the previous Attorney General, Pam Bondi, but said he is now the acting head of the Justice Department.
- Blanche made the remarks on April 7, 2026, during his first public appearance as acting Attorney General.
The players
Todd Blanche
The new acting Attorney General, appointed after the firing of Pam Bondi. Blanche previously served as a defense lawyer for former President Trump.
Pam Bondi
The former Attorney General who was fired by President Trump last week.
Donald Trump
The former president who is calling for prosecutions of his political opponents.
What they’re saying
“When we talk about ending weaponization, as if that's a bad thing for us to do. People in this room, OK, people in this room for four years — some of you, the same people — sat here with the last administration when you saw the weaponization of this department, the likes of which had never been seen in history.”
— Todd Blanche, Acting Attorney General
“That is his right, and indeed it is his duty to do that.”
— Todd Blanche, Acting Attorney General
What’s next
Blanche did not provide a timeline for when Bondi's relationship with the Justice Department will be fully severed, but said he is the acting head for now.
The takeaway
Blanche's comments reflect the new administration's aggressive stance toward investigating and prosecuting Trump's political rivals, raising concerns about the independence and impartiality of the Justice Department under the new leadership.
