DOJ Says Todd Blanche Recused From Many Trump Cases After March 2025 Ethics Warning
Updated
Updated · CNN · May 14
DOJ Says Todd Blanche Recused From Many Trump Cases After March 2025 Ethics Warning
5 articles · Updated · CNN · May 14
The Justice Department said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is recused from many matters involving Donald Trump, the first public acknowledgment that his prior work as Trump’s defense lawyer has sidelined him from some cases.
A March 2025 ethics briefing told Blanche he had to step aside from Trump-related matters in his personal capacity, and a signed pledge barred him for at least 1 year from cases involving former clients of his law firm.
That conflict now reaches into politically sensitive probes: Blanche has delegated oversight of a conspiracy investigation tied to Trump’s claims of being targeted, and people briefed on the matter said he has skipped meetings on it for months.
The disclosure lands as DOJ’s ethics guardrails have weakened — top ethics lawyer Joseph Tirrell was fired in July and other oversight staff were pushed out — raising concerns about how conflicts will be policed.
Legal experts said any future prosecution touched by Blanche despite a conflict could face court challenges, though they argued Congress may be the main check while Trump remains the superior judging whether the conflict can be waived.
When federal power challenges state oversight, who will ultimately define the ethical rules for government lawyers?
As internal watchdogs are systematically removed, what new safeguards can protect government accountability from within?
Justice Department Under Fire: Todd Blanche’s Recusal Controversy, Crypto Scandal, and the Breakdown of Ethical Oversight (2025–2026)
Overview
The report details how Todd Blanche’s rapid move from Donald Trump’s primary defense lawyer to Deputy Attorney General in March 2025 triggered immediate ethical concerns. Within weeks, Justice Department ethics officials instructed Blanche to recuse himself from cases involving Trump, given his prior legal representation. Despite these directives and expert warnings, Blanche’s oversight of sensitive investigations—including those related to Trump—sparked controversy over potential conflicts of interest. The situation highlights the complex challenges facing the Justice Department, as questions about Blanche’s recusal, weakened internal safeguards, and allegations of continued influence threaten public trust in the department’s impartiality.