Todd Blanche Faces State Bar Complaint Amid Push for Senate Confirmation

Twenty-two state attorneys general have issued a letter urging the Senate to confirm Todd Blanche as the 96th United States Attorney General. The coalition, led by Montana AG Austin Knudson, praised Blanche’s record on public‑safety issues, noting a decline in the national murder rate, intensified federal actions against violent crime, gangs, cartels and terrorism, and steps to improve border security and immigration enforcement. The letter also highlighted his work to curb waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayer dollars and to protect the rights of minorities.

At the same time, a separate group comprising the Democracy Defenders Fund, Lawyers Defending American Democracy and 101 former federal and state judges filed a 73‑page complaint with the New York State Bar seeking an ethics investigation of Blanche. The complaint alleges misconduct in three areas: the creation of a $1.776 billion compensation fund described as a “slush fund” and an IRS audit shield for the president and his family; the alleged abuse of DOJ investigative and prosecutorial powers to target political opponents, including former FBI Director James Comey; and mishandling of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, resulting in the disclosure of sensitive victim information. Blanche, who has served as acting attorney general since April following Pam Bondi’s ouster, was nominated by President Donald Trump and is slated for confirmation hearings in mid‑July.