AG Blanche slams Pritzker for refusing help as Chicago crime surges
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche criticizes Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker for declining federal assistance to combat soaring Chicago gun violence, despite 37 shootings occurring in a span of two days. Blanche details significant crime reductions in Washington, D.C. after federal intervention. He also highlights the FBI's success in apprehending a $1.2 billion Medicare fraudster and recovering $5 billion in stolen funds.
Several key groups are coming to the support of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche as he navigates Senate confirmation to officially become the successor to Pam Bondi, according to the office of Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Support cited by Grassley's office includes 670,000 sworn officers, 300 angel families, families who lost a loved one to crimes committed by undocumented immigrants, and 100 bipartisan U.S. attorneys and DOJ officials.
The office highlighted a statement from 23 attorneys general, among other outpourings of support.
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Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche speaks during a news conference at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. The Justice Department discussed recent developments in its investigation of the Tren de Aragua gang after the U.S. killed the leader of the Tren de Aragua drug cartel, Nio Guerrero, in a strike carried out with Venezuela's assistance last month. (Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
"At a time when Americans expect their government to protect communities from violent crime, narcotics trafficking, human trafficking, terrorism and organized criminal activity, Todd Blanche has shown the ability to deliver real results. His record reflects a commitment to public safety, vigorous enforcement of federal law and effective stewardship of the Department of Justice… we urge the Senate to swiftly confirm Todd Blanche as United States Attorney General," the statement read.
Support received by Grassley highlighted Blanche’s work as acting attorney general and, in particular, his aggressive stance towards enforcement.
Blanche took over the Department of Justice after Bondi left the role in April.
President Donald Trump dismissed her after what many critics saw as a botched handling of the Epstein Files: overpromising transparency on who may have facilitated the sex trafficking crimes of Jeffrey Epstein and then underdelivering.
Since coming into the role, Blanche has steered the DOJ away from the Epstein controversy and refocused messaging on domestic security. Soon after taking command, he created a National Fraud Enforcement Division and highlighted reductions in violent crime, drug seizures, immigration enforcement and prosecution of gangs and cartels.
Now that Trump has officially tapped him to become the next attorney general, The American Border Story (TABS), which represents Angles Families, said Blanche is key to continuing that work.
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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche arrives for the House Appropriations Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Committee Subcommittee hearing titled "Oversight Hearing - Department of Justice" in the Rayburn Building in Washington, D.C., on June 2, 2026. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc)
"At a time when the Department of Justice must confront violent crime, illegal immigration, human trafficking, child exploitation, cartels, MS-13, Tren de Aragua, and other transnational threats, the country needs clear leadership and sustained operational focus... TABS respectfully urges the Senate Committee on the Judiciary to give full and fair consideration to Todd Blanche's nomination and to advance his confirmation as Attorney General of the United States," TABS said in a statement.
The National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) echoed that reasoning in a statement of their own.
"We believe Mr. Blanche’s leadership will help ensure that the Department of Justice remains focused on public safety, the rule of law, and providing unwavering support for the law enforcement professionals who risk their lives daily to protect our families and communities… On behalf of the more than 382,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, we commend President Trump on his nomination of Todd W. Blanche to lead the Justice Department and urge the committee to favorably report his nomination."
Another group of 78 former DOJ officials praised Blanche for steering the department back towards law enforcement and staying away from politically-charged controversy.
"Todd Blanche understands that the Department’s mission is to deliver justice—not to serve political interests or entrenched bureaucracies," the group said.
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Todd Blanche, nominee for U.S. deputy attorney general, testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington, D.C., on February 12. (Daniel Heuer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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"He has shown the courage and institutional knowledge to restore focus on public safety, law enforcement support, and the rule of law... We firmly believe the Department of Justice and the nation will benefit from his continued leadership at the helm. We urge [the Senate] in the strongest terms to confirm Todd W. Blanche as the next Attorney General of the United States without delay."
The Senate will be launching Blanche’s confirmation hearing later this week. Blanche himself is expected to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday morning.
