“People should be up in arms!” Fmr. Watergate prosecutor SOUNDS OFF on Trump AG pick Todd Blanche

Democrats are trying to paint Todd Blanche as Trump’s “personal lawyer” at the Department of Justice to derail his confirmation, but the record shows a broader fight over whether justice will stay politicized or start getting cleaned up.

Story Snapshot

Senate and House hearings focused on a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund and alleged conflicts.
Courts have paused payouts from the fund while details get reviewed, adding pressure on oversight.
Senator Adam Schiff launched an inquiry claiming ethics officials urged Blanche to recuse from Trump-personal cases.
Blanche says he works for the United States, will follow the law, and is not the president’s personal attorney.

What Democrats Are Alleging About Conflicts and Recusal

Senator Adam Schiff said Department of Justice ethics lawyers advised Todd Blanche in March 2025 to recuse from matters involving President Trump in his personal capacity. Schiff’s press release asks when Blanche last gave Trump personal legal advice and seeks records of any involvement with lawsuits seeking personal payouts. Schiff points to Blanche’s 2025 testimony, where Blanche said he would follow recusal guidance from career experts. These claims will drive sharp questioning at the confirmation hearing. ^[7]

House and Senate Democrats also pressed Blanche over a nearly $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund. They called it a slush fund for Trump allies. At a House hearing, members said a federal court blocked payments for now. They also said the plan lacked transparency and oversight. Blanche confirmed no claims had been paid and said the department was not moving forward with the fund at that time, though related settlement matters remained. This pause sets up more scrutiny. ^[3]

What Blanche Says About Law, Duty, and the Fund

Todd Blanche has told lawmakers he serves the country, not the president, and will follow the law. In his 2025 confirmation hearing for deputy attorney general, he rejected the idea that the job is the president’s lawyer and said politics should not drive the Department of Justice. He argued past prosecutions of Trump were driven by partisans, and vowed to keep politics out if confirmed. That stance aligns with restoring equal justice and ending selective targeting. ^[12]

At recent budget hearings, Blanche defended the idea of compensating people who can prove they were targeted, while also stating no judge approved the fund and no payouts occurred. He said anyone who believes they were targeted could apply, not just Trump supporters. He also denied that the president directed him to create the fund. He acknowledged court action has halted payments for now, and said the department is not moving forward with the fund pending the review. ^[10]

Why This Fight Matters for Rule of Law and Your Wallet

Hearings show a clash over whether the Department of Justice will keep running on politics or return to neutral law enforcement. Democrats call the fund a blank check for allies. Blanche says it is a way to address past weaponization claims. The court pause means taxpayers are not funding payouts while legal issues are sorted. Voters who worry about double standards want clear rules, firm oversight, and respect for constitutional rights in every case, no matter the person. ^[3]

🇺🇸 Senate confirmation process begins for AG nominee

What happened:
President Trump transmitted Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general to the Senate on June 8, 2026, kicking off expected opposition.

✅ Confirmed: Trump formally submitted Todd Blanche's attorney general… pic.twitter.com/IeW0cBd1U7

— The States Brief (@TheStatesBriefX) June 11, 2026

The coming confirmation will hinge on two tests. First, whether documents support Schiff’s recusal claims and whether Blanche followed ethics advice. Second, whether the Department of Justice can show a transparent, legal process on the fund and any related settlements. Blanche’s statements that he will follow the law, recuse when required, and resist political orders will need to match the paper trail. If they do, confirmation strengthens efforts to end politicized prosecutions. ^[7]