- Senate confirms Blanche 52-46 despite Democratic opposition
- Ex-Trump attorney now oversees DOJ he recently sued
- Over 12 senior officials purged in loyalty-driven reshuffle
- Bove ordered dismissal of NY mayor's corruption case pre-confirmation
The Justice Department faces unprecedented politicization as Todd Blanche assumes the deputy attorney general role following a contentious Senate vote. Blanche’s confirmation comes amid a sweeping reorganization that has displaced 14 career prosecutors through forced transfers since January. Legal analysts note this marks the first time a president’s personal criminal defender has ascended to the DOJ’s second-highest position.
Blanche’s transition from defending Trump against 91 felony charges to overseeing federal prosecutions raises ethical questions. During confirmation hearings, Senator Whitehouse (D-RI) highlighted Blanche’s $2M compensation from Trump’s Save America PAC in 2023. The appointee countered by vowing to reinforce ethical firewallsbetween political operatives and ongoing investigations into election interference cases.
The DOJ’s turmoil mirrors 1973′s Saturday Night Massacre, when Nixon fired Watergate investigators. However, modern legal precedents complicate matters – Blanche now oversees the same DC US Attorney’s office prosecuting January 6 defendants. Recent FOIA disclosures reveal 23% of FBI agents reassigned from public corruption units since February.
Regional parallels emerge in Texas AG Ken Paxton’s 2023 impeachment, where staff reported similar loyalty tests. Blanche’s team has already implemented New York-style prosecutorial review boards, a mechanism criticized during the Adams dismissal. Legal reform advocates warn these changes could delay 78 pending civil rights cases by 6-8 months.
With special counsel investigations into Biden family matters pending, Blanche’s decisions may shape the 2026 election cycle. Former US Attorney Preet Bharara noted: When defense counsel switch sides, case histories become roadmaps.The DOJ’s independence now faces its sternest test since post-9/11 surveillance debates.