Todd Blanche
ON THE RECORD · 75 verbatim quotes · every quote source-verified
“200 grand jury subpoenas”
Todd Blanche · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-16
The complaint cited Blanche's public statements about the scope of the investigation.
“His alleged actions show a blatant disregard to the Venezuelan people by corrupting government programs intended to provide critical food, medicine, and housing for personal enrichment and exploiting the American financial system to do it,”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-10-11 · reported 2026-10-12
Todd Blanche wrote in a social media post about Alvaro Pulido's alleged bribery and corruption involving Venezuelan government programs.
“No amount of time or distance will stop”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-10-11 · reported 2026-10-12
Todd Blanche wrote in a social media post about the justice department's pursuit of criminals in the Pulido case.
“from working with our federal law enforcement and international partners to pursue these criminals and bring them to justice in an American courtroom,”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-10-11 · reported 2026-10-12
Todd Blanche wrote in a social media post about working with federal law enforcement and international partners to bring criminals to justice.
“I am not in any way violating any rule or law,”
Todd Blanche · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-10
Blanche made the comment about his appearances at political events, which he said were conducted in his personal capacity.
“concealed critical facts from the US government and represent serious criminal offenders.”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-10-06 · reported 2026-10-07
A statement attributed to the US attorney general described those targeted by the denaturalization announcement as serious criminal offenders.
“Anyone who finances or assists terrorist organizations responsible for the deaths of American citizens should expect to be prosecuted by the Department of Justice,”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-10-01 · reported 2026-10-02
Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a statement announcing indictments alleging more than $1.7 million was funneled to Hamas.
“will continue pursuing terrorists who kill Americans, dismantling terrorist finance networks, and delivering justice for the families of victims.”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-10-01 · reported 2026-10-02
Attorney General Todd Blanche vowed that DOJ would continue pursuing terrorists and dismantling terrorist finance networks.
“there's going to be adjustments that have to be made”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-09-27 · reported 2026-09-27
Blanche acknowledged that adjustments will have to be made around AI as the industry continues to develop.
“The White House routinely decides who can go on Air Force One. This wasn't a a one-time denial of CNN. There's all kinds of times when certain reporters are not flying or are flying,”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-09-27 · reported 2026-09-27
Blanche said it was not unusual for the White House to decide which reporters travel on Air Force One, after CNN's access was blocked.
“Of course, they can. But when it comes to the White House, it is the people’s house. It is a privilege and not a right to be there.”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-09-27 · reported 2026-09-27
Blanche was asked what the First Amendment meant to him and remarked that access to the White House is a privilege and not a right.
“In the meantime, the answer is not to just try to all of a sudden try to regulate this in a way that will make us second or third place in the world as far as being being the leaders in this space,”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-09-27 · reported 2026-09-27
Blanche argued against regulating AI in a way that would put the United States behind other countries in the field.
“refuse to report anything accurately,”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-09-27 · reported 2026-09-27
Blanche claimed the three news outlets subject to the White House ban refuse to report anything accurately, calling it a national security problem.
“There’s not even a real dispute that the information coming out of CNN and some of these other networks is wholly and completely, almost 100 percent negative toward the president.”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-09-27 · reported 2026-09-27
Blanche suggested on ABC's This Week that any negative reporting about Trump must be inaccurate.
“our position has been clear from the beginning. What they say is exactly the issue when it comes to national security.”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-09-27 · reported 2026-09-27
Blanche said the administration's position on national security has been clear from the beginning.
“get into what the judge says”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-09-27 · reported 2026-09-27
Blanche declined to discuss the judge's ruling because the litigation is ongoing.
“The president hasn’t denied access,”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-09-27 · reported 2026-09-27
Blanche told ABC that the president had not denied access to CNN after its journalists were barred from the press pool on Air Force One.
“The law says – what the free press can do is they are free to report whatever they want,”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-09-27 · reported 2026-09-27
Blanche was asked what the First Amendment meant to him and remarked on the limits of free press access to the White House.
“There's still obviously litigation going on, but the important thing, Martha, is to know that ... being in the White House is a privilege. It's not a right.”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-09-27 · reported 2026-09-27
Blanche told Martha Raddatz that being in the White House is a privilege and not a right, while noting litigation over the outlet ban is ongoing.
“So when the president talks about about the fact that the Department of Justice and the FBI and [Homeland Security Investigations], they can go and arrest bad actors in this space, that's what he means, and it's true, and that's what we're doing.”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-09-27 · reported 2026-09-27
Blanche said that when Trump discusses the DOJ, FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations going after bad actors in the AI space, that is what he means and what the administration is doing.
“The White House routinely decides who can go on Air Force One,”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-09-27 · reported 2026-09-27
Blanche said on ABC it wasn't unusual for a news outlet to not be allowed on the president's plane.
“it is a privilege and not a right to be there”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-09-27 · reported 2026-09-27
Blanche argued on ABC's This Week that the administration was permitted to ban three news outlets from the White House.
“When there are crimes committed, we have a lot of tools already, and the federal Title 18 gives us a lot of a lot of ways to go after criminals and bad actors in the AI space and other spaces,”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-09-27 · reported 2026-09-27
Blanche continued that federal Title 18 provides many tools to go after criminals and bad actors in the AI space and other areas.
“When you have complete misinformation coming out of the White House that affects our relationship with our foreign partners, that affects our relationship with our foreign enemies -- and so this is just not about the fact that they're refusing to report accurate news. It's all about the information that the American people have a right to hear coming out of of our what should be respected media outlets.”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-09-27 · reported 2026-09-27
Blanche argued that misinformation from media outlets affects relationships with foreign partners and enemies, and that the American people deserve accurate information.
“so important and vital to our national security interests and to the success of this country that the United States lead in this space.”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-09-27 · reported 2026-09-27
Blanche echoed the president's position on AI, describing it as vital to national security interests and to the success of the country.
“it's not unusual, and as a matter of fact, it's common every time the president travels that he and his team decide which reporters get to travel with the president.”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-09-27 · reported 2026-09-27
Blanche added that it is common for the president and his team to decide which reporters travel with the president each time he travels.
“That’s not the right way to describe it.”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-09-27 · reported 2026-09-27
Blanche told ABC that the president had not denied access to CNN after its journalists were barred from the press pool on Air Force One.
“Wait, give you an example of when CNN doesn’t report accurately? You cannot be asking me that,”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-09-27 · reported 2026-09-27
Pressed by interviewer Martha Raddatz to point to a report the administration objected to, Blanche replied on ABC's This Week.
“it is absolutely the president’s duty to make sure that the American people are hearing accurate news.”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-09-27 · reported 2026-09-27
Blanche added that it is the president's duty to make sure the American people hear accurate news.
“The president hasn't denied access. That's not the right way to describe it. This is -- what the president has said is that he is sick and tired of certain media outlets just refusing to report accurate news,”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-09-27 · reported 2026-09-27
Blanche said in an exclusive interview on 'This Week' that the president was sick and tired of certain media outlets refusing to report accurate news.
“This wasn’t a one-time denial of CNN. There’s all kinds of times when certain reporters are not flying or are flying.”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-09-27 · reported 2026-09-27
Blanche said on ABC it wasn't unusual for a news outlet to not be allowed on the president's plane.
“What it means is that we have a ton of laws -- criminal laws, civil laws -- that are already in place and on the books that allow us to charge individuals, to charge companies in the right circumstances when there's crimes committed, and so the answer isn't always more laws, more laws, more laws.”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-09-27 · reported 2026-09-27
Blanche explained that existing criminal and civil laws already allow the government to charge individuals and companies when crimes are committed in the AI space.
“privilege ... not a right”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-09-27 · reported 2026-09-27
Blanche said in an interview that being in the White House is a privilege, not a right, amid the Trump administration's ban of three news outlets.
“Without even allowing the government a chance to respond, and in the dark of night, a federal appeals court blocked us from conducting all third-country removals of illegal aliens, an entirely legal and invaluable tool to stem the tide of illegal immigration,”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-09-24 · reported 2026-09-24
Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the administration will ask the Supreme Court to allow continued swift deportations to third countries following a federal appeals court ruling blocking such removals.
“We will immediately seek relief from the Supreme Court, which previously granted a stay in this very same case.”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-09-24 · reported 2026-09-24
Attorney General Todd Blanche wrote on X that the administration would seek Supreme Court relief after a federal appeals court blocked all third-country removals.
“It is our job to stop America's adversaries from unleashing violence and terror on American soil,”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-09-15 · reported 2026-09-16
The DoJ charged five men allegedly connected to Russian Intelligence Services for plotting to murder Ukrainian allies in the US and Europe.
“Thank you very much. I love you, sir”
Todd Blanche · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-05
Blanche once said he would tell the president this if Trump nominated someone else for attorney general.
“believes the justice department was weaponized against a lot of Americans”
Todd Blanche · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-05
Blanche said that Trump believes the justice department was weaponized against a lot of Americans under the Biden administration.
“There’s not a parent in America, no matter where you live, that would want their school to change and call their child by a different name and not expect to be told about that. We partnered with the Department of Education recently to combat this very trend and, really, pandemic that’s happening in some school districts around the country,”
Todd Blanche · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-05
Blanche appeared on Fox News to decry a pandemic of gender transitions in schools across the US.
“there were never commissioners”
Todd Blanche · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-05
Blanche has said there were never commissioners in charge of the payout pot, responding to critics who noted the agreement did not include signatories.
“It really hurt them financially.”
Todd Blanche · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-05
Blanche said that Trump believes the justice department was weaponized against a lot of Americans under the Biden administration, adding that it really hurt them financially.
“The fund is dead or whatever word you want to use. It never started. So, it’s not as if the fund is coming back.”
Todd Blanche · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-05
Todd Blanche told Fox News Sunday last month that the proposed anti-weaponization fund would not be revived.
“it isn’t a crime to party with Mr. Epstein”
Todd Blanche · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-05
Blanche stressed on Fox News earlier this year that it isn't a crime to party with Mr. Epstein.
“Our Homeland Security Task Forces around the country are unified to end the presence of criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and transnational criminal organizations throughout the United States.”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-08-27 · reported 2026-08-27
Blanche issued a statement warning criminal organizations as part of the Justice Department's crackdown announcement.
“Let this be a warning to those that are terrorizing our communities,”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-08-27 · reported 2026-08-27
Attorney General Todd Blanche announced charges against 81 people in Puerto Rico during a visit on Thursday.
“so that the Dobbs decision becomes permanent in every single state.”
Todd Blanche · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-22
Todd Blanche told a religious group about the Justice Department's efforts to restrict abortion access nationwide.
“Since that lawsuit was filed, as folks know, TikTok has undergone a meaningful change in ownership, leadership, management and their practices. And so, this lawsuit and the settlement of it takes into account the changes the company has made since the lawsuit was filed, which is exactly what we should be doing,”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-08-22 · reported 2026-08-22
Todd Blanche explained how recent organizational changes at TikTok were factored into the settlement.
“If companies and entities are not doing what they're supposed to do to make sure that happens, we're [going to] come after them,”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-08-22 · reported 2026-08-22
Todd Blanche warned that the Justice Department will pursue entities failing to protect children online.
“but we will have victory, and victory will be soon, and, and, and it will be permanent.”
Todd Blanche · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-22
Todd Blanche told conservative religious leaders that their anti-abortion efforts would achieve permanent success.
“If states have said, ‘We are going to protect the unborn and we’re going to protect every life from the moment of conception,’ we’re putting practices and policies in place so that other states and other organizations can’t attack that. They can’t do things like they’re doing with mailing in mail-order drugs.”
Todd Blanche · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-22
Todd Blanche explained his rationale for preventing states from mailing abortion drugs into states with bans.
“It's a stark reminder and a real important note to anybody out there that we are [going to] protect children, and the internet has got to be a safe place for children,”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-08-22 · reported 2026-08-22
Todd Blanche emphasized the administration's commitment to making the internet safe for children.
“working hand in hand”
Todd Blanche · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-22
Todd Blanche discussed the Justice Department's collaboration with health agencies to restrict abortion.
“We don’t have complete victory yet,”
Todd Blanche · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-22
Todd Blanche spoke with Christian conservative leaders about the timeline for cementing anti-abortion policy.
“It's a big number. It's a lot of money that they agreed to pay to kind of address what happened in the past to make sure it doesn't happen in the future,”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-08-22 · reported 2026-08-22
Todd Blanche commented on the monetary penalty paid by TikTok to address past privacy violations.
“fair, just and right result.”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-08-22 · reported 2026-08-22
Todd Blanche praised the Justice Department's $400 million settlement with TikTok.
“These types of crimes are the worst of the worst: preying on vulnerable children in the name of a violent and twisted ideology. Federal law enforcement will not stop until nihilistic violent extremist groups and their depraved members are identified and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-08-19 · reported 2026-08-20
Blanche condemned the crimes as targeting vulnerable children under a violent ideology.
“The Department has pledged to take out online predator networks and today’s sentence is one step toward justice for the families and children harmed by 764,”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-08-19 · reported 2026-08-20
Blanche commented on the sentencing of Kyle Spitze for crimes tied to the 764 network.
“forever barred and precluded”
Todd Blanche · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-06
According to the initial outline of the audit deal in a document signed by Todd Blanche, the U.S. was forever barred and precluded from examining current tax filings or prosecuting the plaintiffs.
“with the judge’s insinuations”
Todd Blanche · said date not stated · reported 2026-07-31
Blanche said he disagrees with a judge's ruling criticizing his involvement in the IRS settlement.
“doesn’t cover any government entity except the IRS.”
Todd Blanche · said date not stated · reported 2026-07-30
During his Judiciary Committee testimony, Blanche stated the settlement does not cover any government entity except the IRS.
“District court judges can appoint a temporary U.S. Attorney, and [the president] can fire them,”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-07-15 · reported 2026-07-17
Blanche posted on social media after federal judges appointed a replacement U.S. attorney who was fired within the hour.
“You’re a lawyer, you know the rules,”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-07-15 · reported 2026-07-16
Blanche told the Harvard Law graduate Schiff that he knows the ethics rules.
“From the Proud Boys matter?”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-07-15 · reported 2026-07-16
Blanche responded with a puzzled look when Schiff pressed him about recusal.
“I am still here. I am the same exact person I was when I was a federal prosecutor in the SDNY,”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-07-15 · reported 2026-07-16
Blanche replied that he is the same person he was when he was a federal prosecutor in the SDNY.
“I was the acting attorney general – so yes, my department moved to dismiss,”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-07-15 · reported 2026-07-16
Blanche fired back when Schiff criticized him for moving to vacate Jan. 6-related convictions for 12 members of far-right groups.
“What you’re saying happens not to be true – I did not do that.”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-07-15 · reported 2026-07-16
Blanche denied having anything to do with opposing the release of the second volume of Jack Smith's report.
“You can’t accuse me of violating my ethical rules and then lie about what I did,”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-07-15 · reported 2026-07-16
Blanche continued his denial of Schiff's accusation regarding the Jack Smith report release.
“There are rules that say when I have to recuse and that’s not one of them,”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-07-15 · reported 2026-07-16
Blanche asserted there was no reason for him to recuse himself from the Proud Boys matter.
“We take testimony in front of this body very seriously,”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-07-15 · reported 2026-07-15
Blanche replied to Hawley's question about investigating former special counsel Jack Smith for perjury.
“To the extent there’s any work around those cases, yes, I’m recused,”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-07-15 · reported 2026-07-15
Blanche confirmed to Schiff that he has recused himself from any DOJ involvement in the now-ended criminal cases against Trump.
“was good for consumers.”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-07-15 · reported 2026-07-15
Blanche told senators he believed the Trump administration's settlement with Live Nation and Ticketmaster was beneficial.
“When you ask me what has changed, okay, and you talk about a single document that I signed, okay. Somebody had to sign that document when the president sued, okay. So I tried to do the right thing,”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-07-15 · reported 2026-07-15
Blanche responded to Schiff's criticism about signing off on the IRS settlement, saying he tried to do the right thing.
“and now I’m the deputy attorney general.”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-07-15 · reported 2026-07-15
Blanche corrected himself during his confirmation hearing after initially saying he is the president's lawyer.
“This morning in Chicago, federal and local law enforcement charged three alleged [Tren de Aragua] members on a criminal complaint, charging the brutal murder of another victim,”
Todd Blanche · said 2026-07-01 · reported 2026-07-09
Blanche announced criminal charges against three alleged Tren de Aragua gang members at a press conference in Washington.
“the suggestion by anyone that there was any daylight between the FBI and DOJ leadership on this memo’s composition and release is patently false.”
Todd Blanche · said 2025-07-11 · reported 2025-07-11
Todd Blanche denied that there was any division between FBI and DOJ leadership over the memo.