Todd Blanche's Nomination Sparks Controversy Over Corruption Case
WHO:
National Review - The editors of National Review urged senators to vote against the confirmation of Todd Blanche as attorney general.
Alternet - Todd Blanche, acting Attorney General, previously Trump’s private lawyer.
Slate Magazine - Andrew Weissmann, veteran federal prosecutor and legal analyst, served in Robert S. Mueller’s special counsel’s office.
WHAT:
National Review - The editorial described Todd Blanche as having distinguished himself only as an instrument of Trump’s campaign to investigate and prosecute political opponents.
National Review - The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as deputy AG with a strict party-line vote of 52–46 in March 2025.
Alternet - Todd Blanche devised a deal on May 19 to immunize Trump and his family from all future prosecutions.
Alternet - The deal protects Trump and his family from “all claims” or “causes of action” related to “Lawfare and/or Weaponization.”
Alternet - Trump’s wealth increased by an estimated $4 billion since taking office for a second time.
Alternet - Trump and his family generated at least $2.3 billion in income from crypto businesses since he won the presidency.
Alternet - A company backed by Eric and Donald Jr. received $1.6 billion in federal financing after acquiring a stake in an American mining group.
Alternet - Don Jr.’s firm 1789 Capital acquired a stake in Vulcan Elements, which received a $620 million federal loan.
Alternet - Trump has pardoned individuals convicted of significant financial crimes, including Philip Esformes and Joseph Schwartz.
Slate Magazine - Trump announced at a private dinner that Todd Blanche will be the next attorney general.
Slate Magazine - The slush fund was created to settle a lawsuit where Trump brought a civil case for $10 billion.
WHERE:
Alternet - The U.S. government is prohibited from investigating Trump and his family’s corrupt dealings.
Slate Magazine - The federal judge overseeing the case is located in the U.S. court system.
WHEN:
Alternet - The deal to immunize Trump was signed on May 19.
Slate Magazine - The federal judge overseeing the case has requested to hear arguments by Friday regarding the legitimacy of the lawsuit.
WHY:
National Review - The editorial argued that under Blanche, the Department of Justice is unlikely to enforce the law evenly, without fear, favor, or political bias.
Alternet - The immunity deal aims to prevent future government inquiries into Trump’s corrupt dealings.
Slate Magazine - The slush fund was created to settle a lawsuit that Trump initiated against an agency he controls.
HOW:
National Review - The editorial criticized Blanche's "weaponization working group," which has targeted Trump’s political foes, including former FBI Director James Comey and Federal Reserve governors Jerome Powell and Lisa Cook.
Alternet - The settlement agreement was signed solely by Todd Blanche.
Slate Magazine - The lawsuit was characterized as collusive, with Trump acting as both plaintiff and defendant.
(UPDATED June 10, 2026 17:57 UTC)
The editors of National Review are urging senators to vote against the confirmation of Todd Blanche as attorney general, describing him as merely an instrument of Trump’s campaign to investigate and prosecute political opponents. Blanche was confirmed as deputy attorney general in March 2025 with a strict party-line vote of 52 to 46, and the editorial argues that under his leadership, the Department of Justice is unlikely to enforce the law evenly or without political bias. Additionally, the editorial criticizes Blanche's "weaponization working group," which has targeted Trump’s political foes, including former FBI Director James Comey and Federal Reserve governors Jerome Powell and Lisa Cook.
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(UPDATED June 10, 2026 14:15 UTC)
In a significant development, Todd Blanche, acting Attorney General and previously Trump’s private lawyer, has devised a deal to immunize Trump and his family from all future prosecutions related to “Lawfare and/or Weaponization.” This agreement, signed on May 19, aims to prevent any government inquiries into Trump’s dealings, while a federal judge has requested to hear arguments by Friday regarding the legitimacy of a lawsuit that Trump initiated against an agency he controls. Additionally, Trump has seen his wealth increase by an estimated $4 billion since taking office for a second time, with his family generating at least $2.3 billion in income from crypto businesses during his presidency.