Trump's AG Todd Blanche Faces Backlash for Unsettling Briefing

WHO:

The Independent - Todd Blanche, United States Attorney General, previously served as Donald Trump’s personal lawyer.

Alternet - Elie Honig, attorney and CNN legal analyst, provided commentary on Todd Blanche's performance.

WHAT:

The Independent - Todd Blanche held a press conference where he discussed Trump administration arrests and investigations.

The Independent - Blanche made comments about the Supreme Court ruling that blocked Trump administration plans to screen and restrict mail-in ballots.

The Independent - Blanche stated, “We are working together to prioritize unlawful voting in our elections.”

The Independent - Blanche remarked that “the federal government is always involved in elections.”

The Independent - He stated, “We’re not going to regulate AI,” while discussing artificial intelligence.

The Independent - Blanche defended Secretary Hegseth, saying, “Secretary Hegseth is doing a phenomenal job.”

The Independent - He characterized the ongoing conflict in Iran as not a war, saying, “You call it a war. I disagree with that characterization.”

Alternet - Elie Honig criticized Blanche for acting more like a press secretary than an Attorney General during the briefing.

WHERE:

The Independent - The press conference took place in the Rose Garden of the White House.

WHEN:

The Independent - The press conference occurred on a Tuesday.

WHY:

The Independent - Blanche's comments were intended to defend Trump’s actions and decisions, including his right to express frustration with the Supreme Court.

HOW:

The Independent - Blanche used humor and casual remarks, such as commenting on reporters sweating, to engage with the audience during the press conference.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 01:59 UTC)

At a press conference held in the Rose Garden of the White House, Todd Blanche, the United States Attorney General and former personal lawyer to Trump, addressed various topics including Trump administration arrests and the recent Supreme Court ruling on mail-in ballots. Blanche emphasized the federal government's role in elections, stated that they would not regulate AI, and defended Secretary Hegseth's performance, while also characterizing the situation in Iran as not a war. Elie Honig, a CNN legal analyst, critiqued Blanche's approach, suggesting he acted more like a press secretary than an Attorney General during the briefing.