A coalition of over 1,200 former Justice Department officials, spanning multiple administrations and political affiliations, has formally urged the Senate Judiciary Committee to reject the nomination of Todd Blanche as Attorney General. The group emphasizes Blanche’s leadership has weakened essential safeguards protecting the DOJ’s impartiality and career civil servants.
Justice Connection, the organization behind the letter, highlights the erosion of the traditional separation between the Justice Department and the White House during Blanche’s tenure as acting AG. They specifically criticize his role in driving out thousands of career employees, including FBI agents and prosecutors, many dismissed under questionable circumstances linked to political motivations.
The letter details how civil servants make up the backbone of the DOJ’s workforce, carrying out vital duties such as prosecuting violent crime, combating drug trafficking, enforcing antitrust laws, and protecting civil rights. More than 99 percent of the department's staff are career employees who ensure justice remains apolitical and effective. Despite Blanche’s prior experience as a DOJ prosecutor, critics accuse him of undermining this system by fostering a culture hostile to impartial law enforcement.
Since Blanche assumed leadership roles, the department has seen the departure of around 16,000 employees, including significant numbers of attorneys and analysts. Some were reportedly fired without proper notice for reasons such as handling cases unfavorable to the President, family ties to political opponents, adherence to due process in immigration cases, or refusing to participate in what the group calls “vindictive prosecutions” or dishonesty in court. These actions are viewed as violations of civil service protections aimed at preventing politically driven purges.
The letter characterizes these purges as damaging not only to DOJ’s workforce but also to the integrity of American justice, warning that such practices threaten the department’s role as an independent arbiter of the law. The former officials call on senators to consider this record carefully before confirming Blanche, underscoring the importance of protecting career civil servants who serve regardless of political changes.