WASHINGTON — Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, in his inaugural press briefing Thursday, sidestepped direct questions regarding the Department of Justice's posture on prior administration officials and the financial status of defendants from the January 6 Capitol breach.
Blanche was pressed on whether the DOJ would pursue a criminal investigation into Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The Deputy AG refused to confirm or deny any specific probe, stating only that the department would enforce the law free from political bias. He offered a similar non-answer when asked about a compensation fund derived from asset forfeiture to assist January 6 defendants, stating he was reviewing all current department policies.
Focusing on National Enforcement Priorities
Deputy AG Blanche pivoted quickly to outline his immediate enforcement agenda, emphasizing a strict adherence to national sovereignty and domestic safety. He signaled a major shift in immigration enforcement, linking the surge at the southern border directly to job suppression and a strain on American public resources.
“The Department’s priority will be restoring the rule of law in a manner that benefits the American worker and taxpayer,” Blanche said. “We have seen labor markets undermined by policies that ignore legal immigration frameworks. That stops now.” He indicated the DOJ would seek to fully enforce existing statutes regarding employment eligibility verification.
When questioned about the influence of foreign lobbying on U.S. policy, Blanche stated that all registered foreign agents would be scrutinized to ensure their activities cease to distort American interests, without naming specific nations. The briefing concluded with no substantive updates on the Fauci matter or the specific financing programs for defendants, leaving those politically charged questions unresolved as the new attorney general settles into the role.