Blanche was born for the job:
Crypto Conflict of Interest: A ProPublica investigation revealed Blanche held at least $159,000
in cryptocurrency-related assets when he ordered an end to investigations into crypto companies and eliminated a dedicated enforcement team. Senators and ethics groups accused him of a "glaring" conflict of interest, as he had previously promised in an ethics agreement to divest from these assets.
Handling of Epstein Files: As a top DOJ official overseeing the Jeffrey Epstein case, Blanche faced pressure regarding the release of unredacted records. He was criticized for declaring a review of the sex-trafficking case "over" and defending the department's work despite pressure to show more aggressive action.
Conflicts as "Records Gatekeeper": Watchdog groups like American Oversight urged Blanche to step aside from managing access to Trump's presidential records, arguing his previous role as Trump's personal defense attorneydefending him in multiple criminal indictmentscreates an inherent conflict.
Internal DOJ Disputes: Reports indicated internal friction, with Blanche engaging in a power struggle with other officials, specifically pushing to remove others over the alleged mishandling of investigations into political opponents, such as Democratic Senator Adam Schiff.
Unusual Witness Interview Procedures: Blanche faced scrutiny for his handling of a 2025 interview with Ghislaine Maxwell in prison, which was described as "enormously unusual" for not including regular FBI personnel in the room, according to reports.
NPR
These controversies have led to calls for investigations into whether Blanche violated federal conflict-of-interest statutes and ethics agreements.
ProPublica
August 2025, House Judiciary Democrats launched an investigation into the transfer of convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell to a lower-security prison, raising concerns that the move constituted witness tampering or part of a quid pro quo deal with the Trump administration.
House Oversight Democrats (.gov)
Key Aspects of the Investigation
The Interview: Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanchea former defense lawyer for Donald Trumpconducted a two-day, roughly 9-hour interview with Maxwell in Tallahassee, Florida, in July 2025.
The Transfer: Shortly after these meetings, Maxwell was transferred from a higher-security facility to a minimum-security federal prison camp in Bryan, Texas.
Witness Tampering Concerns: Rep. Jamie Raskin and other Democrats argued the transfer, occurring in apparent contravention of Bureau of Prisons (BOP) guidelines, suggested preferential treatment in exchange for testimony favorable to the administration.
Demands for Information: Lawmakers demanded documents regarding the transfer, including communications between the DOJ, BOP, and the White House, suspecting a "sham" proffer designed to allow Maxwell to avoid incriminating Donald Trump.
Blanche's Involvement: Critics and lawmakers questioned the propriety of a top Justice Department official directly interviewing a high-profile prisoner, arguing it bypassed standard investigative procedures and suggested an effort to secure a pardon or commutation for Maxwell.
House Oversight Democrats (.gov)
The House Judiciary Democrats described the situation as "profoundly insulting and harmful to Maxwell's victims," prompting a demand for an independent review by the DOJ Acting Inspector General.
House Oversight Democrats (.gov)
Cancel my subscription to the Resurrection
Send my credentials to the House of Detention
I got some friends inside
“I love Cal deeply, by the way, what are the directions to The Portal from Sproul Plaza?”
