Blanche Responds to Schiff’s Allegations
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche defended himself against U.S. Senator Adam Schiff’s accusations on Wednesday, refuting claims of mishandling and an intentional failure to recuse himself from President Donald Trump’s case. Blanche accused the California Democrat of lying during their exchange.
Schiff challenged Blanche over various legal matters, asserting that these issues revealed a significant conflict of interest, which made Blanche unfit for the nation’s top law enforcement role. Although Blanche denied the allegations, he argued that Schiff had breached ethical standards and disrupted critical schedules.
During the confrontation, Schiff inquired whether Blanche had consulted with Justice Department ethics attorneys regarding Trump’s previous representation in the Stormy Daniels case, categorized documents from Mar-a-Lago, and the events surrounding January 6.
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While Blanche confirmed his commitment to recusing himself from any legal actions connected to those cases moving forward, Schiff countered, citing Blanche’s remarks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), where he claimed there was no conflict in the Justice Department’s dismissal of prosecutorial staff related to January 6 or other cases.
Blanche quickly pushed back when Schiff criticized his decision to vacate the convictions of twelve far-right individuals involved in the January 6 events. Blanche stated, “I was the acting attorney general, and yes, my department sought to dismiss me,” expressing that he had no reason to resign despite Schiff’s pressure.
“Is this about the Proud Boys?” Blanche responded, visibly puzzled. He then pointedly remarked, “You’re a lawyer, so you understand the rules.” He maintained that while certain protocols mandated recusal, this situation did not fall under those regulations. Schiff consented, saying, “There are rules… and if you’re asked to recuse yourself from a presidential investigation…” to which Blanche interjected that he always took such requests seriously.
Schiff highlighted the yet-unreleased second volume of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report on Trump, emphasizing the Justice Department’s resistance to its publication. Blanche, however, reiterated that it was a federal judge in Miami—not the Justice Department—who had barred the report’s release.
Schiff argued that if one went to court to request its release, it would likely occur. Blanche countered firmly, asserting, “What you’re stating is simply untrue. I wasn’t involved in that.” He added, “You can’t accuse me of breaching my ethics while misrepresenting my actions.”
Schiff pressed Blanche to clarify his professional trajectory that led to such criticisms, reflecting on the shift from Blanche’s days as a respected federal prosecutor in New York. “What happened to the prosecutors who claimed to be free of political bias?” Schiff pondered, referencing inquiries made into opponents of Trump.
Blanche responded firmly, “I’m still the same person I was as a federal prosecutor.” This back-and-forth resulted in additional criticism of Schiff from prosecutors appointed under Trump.
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Bill Esseri, an assistant U.S. attorney in Central California, argued that “the evidence does not make a compelling case against Senator Schiff.”
Former Alabama federal prosecutor Jay Town described the exchange as “great,” noting a shift in the Justice Department under Blanche’s leadership towards enhancing prosecutions and reducing crime nationwide.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Schiff for further comments.
