Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche faced sharp criticism from reporters on Tuesday after he refused to take an off-topic question during a press conference at the Justice Department. The event was held to announce charges against hundreds of individuals for allegedly fraudulent health insurance claims totaling $6.5 billion.
Blanche Shuts Down Off-Topic Query
As Blanche opened the floor for questions, a reporter began, “Off-topic, if I could?” Blanche quickly cut him off with a smile, replying, “No off-topics. Next question. We got a lot of people here for this reason — so we got a lot of people here for this reason, and they give up their time. So, next question.”
Another reporter immediately admonished Blanche, stating, “He gets to ask his question on the topic that he chooses. We’re not your spectators, sir.” Blanche did not address the reprimand and proceeded to take a different question.
Continued Pushback at the End of the Conference
As the press conference drew to a close, a reporter asked, “Mr. Attorney General, will you take one off-topic question?” Blanche snapped back, “No.” Another voice yelled out, “Ya gotta take an off-topic question, sir.” Ignoring the pushback, Blanche asked if there were any other questions and ended the conference.
Previous Evasion of Questions
This incident follows a viral moment last week involving CNN’s Manu Raju, where Blanche evaded questions about California Gov. Gavin Newsom accusing the Justice Department of investigating him and his family without cause. Raju was cut off by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and his spokesperson while Blanche sat in the lawmaker’s office ahead of his confirmation hearing in July to become the permanent attorney general. Raju peppered Blanche with similar questions about Newsom in a hallway, but Blanche remained silent.
Upcoming Confirmation Hearing and Criticism
Blanche, who served as deputy attorney general under Pam Bondi, may face tough questions in his confirmation hearing regarding what many see as the DOJ’s revenge-driven prosecutions of New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey. Reports indicate that President Trump has been targeting perceived political enemies in his second term. An opinion contributor for The Hill wrote a scathing essay, stating that Blanche “is in the tank for Trump.”
