Overview
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche used a Tuesday press conference to set his agenda after replacing Pam Bondi, saying only President Trump knows why she was removed.
- He launched a National Fraud Enforcement Division led by Colin McDonald, drew prosecutors from all 93 U.S. attorney offices, cited more than 8,000 fraud matters, and announced a data hub to spot complex schemes.
- Blanche said the president has a right and duty to guide investigations, rejected a post‑Watergate firewall between the White House and DOJ, and said the department would accept referrals from the White House.
- He defended dismissals of prosecutors tied to Trump cases as an ethical necessity, while reports noted that fired career staff have filed wrongful‑termination lawsuits.
- Blanche said he would accept a permanent nomination if offered, as the DOJ reorganizes around fraud enforcement and faces ongoing questions about its independence.