Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche came out swinging against Sen. Adam Schiff on Wednesday, denying allegations of self-dealing and intentional refusal-to-recuse in President Donald Trump’s cases, while accusing the California Democrat of lying.
Schiff sparred with Blanche over several legal matters he said prove the nominee is unfit for the job of America’s top law enforcement officer, citing what he described as serious conflicts of interest. Blanche denied the allegations while telling Schiff he was misstating ethics rules and botching key timelines.
Schiff pressed Blanche on whether he met with Justice Department ethics lawyers about his prior representation of Trump in the Stormy Daniels, Mar-a-Lago classified documents, and Jan. 6 cases.
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Blanche affirmed and said he has recused himself from future litigation or Justice Department business involving any of those suits. But Schiff countered that Blanche reportedly told a crowd at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) that there was no conflict of interest in the Justice Department firing prosecutors linked to Jan. 6 or other cases.
Blanche soon fired back when Schiff criticized him for moving to vacate Jan. 6-related convictions for 12 members of far-right groups.
“I was the acting attorney general – so yes, my department moved to dismiss,” he said, adding that there was no reason for him to recuse himself when Schiff pressed him further.
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“From the Proud Boys matter?” Blanche responded with a puzzled look.
“You’re a lawyer, you know the rules,” Blanche told the Massachusetts-born graduate of Harvard Law.
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“There are rules that say when I have to recuse and that’s not one of them,” Blanche said.
“There are rules,” Schiff agreed. “And when you’re told to recuse yourself from investigations that you handle for the president…” – “I always do,” Blanche cut in – “you’re supposed to recuse yourself,” Schiff finished.
Schiff noted that the second volume of special counsel Jack Smith’s report on Trump has not been released and said the Justice Department has opposed making it available.
Blanche denied having anything to do with the decision and pointed out it is not the Justice Department, but a federal judge in Miami, that has prohibited its release.
“If you went into court asking them to release it, it would be released by now,” Schiff argued.
Blanche shot back: “What you’re saying happens not to be true – I did not do that.”
“You can’t accuse me of violating my ethical rules and then lie about what I did,” he continued,
Schiff asked Blanche at length what allegedly evolved in his professional life that led him to be under such criticisms.
“What I don’t understand, Todd Blanche, is what happened to the Todd Blanche who was a prosecutor in the Southern District of New York? What happened to the prosecutor people had respect for,” he said.
“What happened to the prosecutor who said that there wouldn’t be a whiff of political partisanship and then prosecutes the president’s enemies over seashells cases, over making a video stating the plain law in the Constitution?” Schiff said – appearing to reference investigations into former FBI Director Jim Comey’s “8647” post that critics said amounted to a threat on Trump’s life.
“I think Robert Caro had it right when he said that power doesn’t corrupt as much as it reveals. I suspect it has just revealed who you are and who you are as someone willing to sacrifice everything you once believed in for that title, for that position of attorney general,” Schiff claimed.
“I am still here. I am the same exact person I was when I was a federal prosecutor in the SDNY,” Blanche replied.
The exchange led to further criticism of Schiff, including from the Trump-appointed prosecutor in his home region:
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“Facts are not Senator Schiff’s strong suit,” claimed First Assistant U.S. Attorney for Central California Bill Essayli.
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Former Alabama federal prosecutor Jay Town called the exchange “excellent.”
“What [Blanche] is essentially saying is that the Justice Department has gone back to the fundamentals of increasing prosecutions and lowering crime nationwide, unlike the Garland DOJ targeting parents, Catholics, etc.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Schiff for comment.

Todd Blanche is asked questions regarding Trump, Epstein and other topics during his confirmation hearing as attorney general. New audio shows that friends of Nolan Wells asked for assistance with their boat the day Nolan went missing. Some companies have begun to restrict their staff’s use of AI software.
What you need to know about today
Todd Blanche claims he is not a Trump “yes man”
During a confirmation hearing yesterday before the Senate, Todd Blanche was asked about his friendship to President Donald Trump as well as the Justice Department’s handling of Epstein’s files. The acting attorney general also said he is not “a yes man” for the president, but that Trump remains his boss.
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A single Republican defector could prevent Blanche from being confirmed for her permanent position after the death last weekend of Lindsey Graham. John Cornyn said that he is “not yet there” in voting for Blanche, despite being in Trump’s sights.
Blanche responded that he would run the DOJ with the aim of protecting Americans, but that as part of the executive, he is responsible to the President. Blanche defended his position when asked if his dealings as Trump’s former personal attorney would constitute a conflict.
I’m his attorney. Blanche corrected himself at one time, saying, “Was his lawyer.”
Blanche apologized for an error “in approximately 1%” of documents after Sen. Thom Tillis interrogated him about the “anti-weaponization fund,” which was set up to settle Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS.
Blanche’s case has many important lessons.
More politics news:
House Democrats were divided in a rare instance of public disagreement over the vote on ending U.S. Aid for Israel.
Pete Hegseth, the Defense Secretary said that some U.S. servicemen will be tested for testosterone levels.
Subscribers: Democrats who are running for Senate after Graham Platner resigned in Maine, race to gain an advantage early before a nomination convention that will take place in 10 days.
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ICE leaders surprised by Trump’s call for traffic enforcement
A senior DHS official confirmed that there were no discussions between senior leaders within DHS or ICE prior to Trump’s decision. The DHS official stated that many officials were shocked by Trump’s decision to reverse his stance yesterday after reading the post he made on Truth Social.
In his blog post, Trump called ICE’s vehicle stop one of its “most effective and important crime-fighting tools.” However, the reversal was criticized by Maine Senators. Angus King, Susan Collins and others demanded an explanation for the fatal shooting on Monday of Johan Sebastian Duran Guerrero.
There are more reactions to Trump’s reverse.
Duran’s family, friends, and co-workers described him as a kind man who was hardworking, and devoted to his family. Duran was seen with his daughter, aged 3, in Biddeford – a city of 23,000 residents. He worked several jobs to support his family.
What the community has to say about Duran.
The audio of the boat Nolan Wells and his friends were on has been revealed.
According to new audio, the friends of Nolan Wells, the 18-year old who died two days after returning from a boat trip on Horn Island in Mississippi, called for assistance because the boat began to take on water. According to an audio recording obtained through a request for public records, at around 3 pm that day the operator of the boat requested assistance to have it towed away from the island. Our bilge pumps stopped working, said the caller. We’re going. We’re sinking. “Can you please all come?
Wells’ family launched their own investigation to determine the cause of his death.
The newly acquired records also reveal other information.
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Subscribers: According to the family of Daniel Erving (18), who drowned on April 18 in Texas, the arrests made of two teenagers are “particular justice” and the mother of one of those teens accused defended her child’s actions.
U.S. strikes northern Iran, Tehran frees American citizen
Early Thursday morning, the U.S. increased its attacks on Iran. It hit targets farther north and fired at a vessel it claimed was trying to breach its naval blockade against the Islamic Republic. Iran responded with drone and missile fire against Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait in the early morning hours and warned that its attacks could escalate.
Trump announced separately yesterday night that a U.S. national held in Iran for 2024 had been freed.
Dena Karari is one of Jared Genser’s clients. He has also been involved in other high profile cases of U.S. Citizens detained by Iran.
Genser stated that Karari was subject to “a coercive departure ban,” but she “was never physically detained.” Genser also said Karari’s work for a non-profit organization, the Children of Mehr Foundation had led her to be “interrogated by Iran’s Intelligence Ministry dozens of time.”
Messi takes Argentina to World Cup Finals for the second time in a row
England looked to be on its way to their first World Cup Final in 60 years with six minutes and stoppage time left. When the final whistle blew, Argentina was the one celebrating thanks to Lionel Messi’s two assists. Argentina’s 2-1 victory over England will see it face Spain in Sunday’s World Cup Final. It will be the very first time that the Copa America champion will face the European champions at a World Cup Final. Argentina may become the first World Cup winner to repeat since Brazil 1962.
Argentina’s successful counter-attack on England’s defensive risk.
Today, the British government urged FIFA to conduct an investigation into Argentina’s soccer team, after its players were photographed holding a banner that claimed sovereignty over the Falkland Island dispute.
Subscribe to The Sports Desk Newsletter for in-depth World Cup reporting.
The AI bill is due in your organization?
As questions swirl over the ROI of a technology that was supposed to save money, but has seen its costs spiral out of control, a growing number of businesses are limiting their employees’ AI use.
In the wake of reports about memory and chips shortages, companies like Uber and Walmart now face higher costs when they use AI models for tasks. This has led these companies, as well as others, to create new rules that specify which employees are allowed to use AI applications and for how long.
Experts say that so far anecdotal reports of usage being throttled back do not indicate a reverse of AI investments, which have fueled markets and economic expansion higher over the last three years. They say these two forces are now so dependent on AI that any disruption could have a negative impact on the balance sheets of U.S. consumers. Rob Wile is a tech reporter
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Nirav Shah was campaigning for Governor earlier this year. He has a J.D. When Nirav Shah, a former leader of Maine’s Center For Disease Control was running for governor earlier this year, he would often argue that his law degree — he has both a J.D. He was better prepared for his job because he has a M.D.
In an age where Donald Trump does his thing, the courts are our sword and shield. He told HuffPost a few weeks before the elections, in which he finished second behind former State House Speaker Hannah Pingree.
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But this talking point had long been a source of irritation for one of his rivals.
Troy Jackson, an ultra-rural Maine logger and former State Senate President, told the media at the time that when Shah first entered the race he mentioned the need for the next Governor to be a Lawyer. “Well, that is bullshit,” I replied.
He added: “I don’t believe lawyers have been very helpful to us over the years.” “I’m not anti-lawyers, but having one as governor did shit to me and those I care for.”
Shah and Jackson have been rivals for a month now in an unusual and unexpected contest to succeed disgraced Graham Platner, the Democratic Party nominee who will challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins this November. They are leading candidates at a 600-person convention, along with Shenna Bellows and Dan Kleban, founder of Maine Beer Company, as well as former candidate Jordan Wood.
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This will probably be the last debate held before the Party chooses its new candidate. The two men are very different. Shah has a degree from Oxford University in economics, and he worked for Big Law. Jackson, on the other hand, holds an associate’s in business at the University of Maine, Fort Kent, and he entered politics first by leading a blockade of Canadian timberjacks.
The two men are on opposite sides of the establishment vs. outsider divide. Both have supported progressive policies like Medicare for all, eliminating Immigration and Customs Enforcement and ending military assistance to Israel. The convention delegates are drawn from among the most active Democrats in California. They will care more about their electability than anything else.
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David Farmer said that the delegate’s choice would be based on who the know and feel comfortable with. They will also choose the candidate they believe can best beat Susan Collins.
Farmer pointed out that everyone has their theory about electability.
He said, “I do not think that there is any consensus within the Democratic Party as to which characteristics will help us in November.”
In the wake of their second defeat to Trump, the Democratic Party has actively recruited candidates from working class backgrounds. Platner was the first to be shunned after two sexual assault allegations. Others, such as former firefighter Bob Brooks, in Pennsylvania, and Rebecca Cooke, in Wisconsin are considered strong candidates who have a good chance of flipping GOP-held positions.
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The Democratic Party has, in contrast, been uninterested in technocracy. Progressives link it to where they think former president Barack Obama’s government fell short. There is also a widespread belief that the Democratic Party’s inability to attract working class voters can be attributed to its ivory tower image.
Shah’s governorship campaign at least shattered some of these assumptions. He was able to win the first round and polls showed that Mainers liked him for leading the public health department of the state through the pandemic of coronavirus.
He has run the convention like a general elections, becoming the very first candidate to ask for a debate on television, holding town halls, press availability, where he slams Collins.
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Shah said at a Tuesday press conference held outside Collins’ office after an ICE officer shot and killed a Biddeford man. It’s time to shut down this dysfunctional agency. It’s time to get rid of the leaders who have allowed it to run wild. It is also time to fire politicians such as Susan Collins, who made lawlessness like this possible.
Jackson is clearly second in the polling conducted after the platner fight for nomination, which, given the setup of the convention, may not mean much. According to the survey conducted by Chism Strategies in New York, 40% of Democrats registered in the state support Jackson. 23% of Democrats back Shah, and 14% of Democrats back Bellows. The rest received less than 10%.
Jackson’s third place finish in the race for governor reflects the “movement” of the Platner movement in California, but he also has insider credentials from his time as a legislator to be successful in a similar setting.
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Joseph Geevarghese is the leader of Our Revolution – a nonprofit progressive organization that supports Jackson. He said the decision was between a politician who has a track record in populist battles and an expert with the ability to solve problems.
He said, “I believe the electorate is looking for the second option.” They’re searching for people who will push for change on the economic front in Washington, a city dominated by corporations.
It is less likely that the split between the two styles will determine the nominee, but rather who has the best chance of capitalizing on quirks in the convention process. For example, who can win over the delegates from other candidates who were eliminated at the last minute. Many operatives said that this could be a factor in favoring a candidate such as Bellows, who might emerge as a consensus pick.
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The 600-person political convention will be dominated by those who are willing to drive hours the following Saturday in order to attend the actual convention.
Farmer said that there are no voters who lack information. There isn’t anyone who casually wakes up in the morning and says, “Oh sh*t, Election Day.”

WASHINGTON — More than 100 Democrats voted in the House of Representatives to cut U.S. Aid to Israel. This vote highlights a growing public division within the Democratic Party that may reverberate in midterm election results.
A long-time U.S. allie’s failed attempt to gain a majority in Congress on July 15 marked a significant shift in American foreign policy in light of the turmoil sweeping the Middle East including wars in Gaza, Iran and Syria.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky), a fiscal hawk who is also an isolationist, made the proposal. The House rejected it overwhelmingly. Israel would no longer have received more than $3,000,000,000 in taxpayer-funded aid from the United States. There were 314 voters against and 104 voting in favor.
Even the most senior Democrats openly disagreed with the Republican opposition to the measure. Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York), the Minority Leader, and Steny H. Hoyer (D-Maryland), a member of House Democratic Leadership for many years, both voted against it.
This was in contrast to other figuresheads of the party including the former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) and Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Massachusetts), the current majority whip.
As the Israel-Hamas conflict approaches its third anniversary, the Democrats’ strong opposition reflected their deep concern about the humanitarian crisis that continues in Gaza. Gaza Health Ministry reports that more than 70,000 Palestinians died since the first terrorist attack on Oct. 7, 20,23. This initial attack killed over 1,000 Israelis, foreigners and other nationals.
Clark stated in an announcement made before the vote that “we should not give a blank cheque for military assistance to any country which does not conform with U.S. laws, interests and values.” While Democratic members may make different decisions in good faith on this amendment, we remain united in the goal of a permanent peace.
Hoyer said, however, that cutting off the aid to Israel will only make it more difficult to achieve a two state solution, which is a goal shared by Democrats.
Hoyer told the House that he understood the frustration many of its members felt about the actions and policies of Israel’s current government. This amendment, however, would empower those seeking to destroy Israel and the Jews, as well as those who are against peace.
Rep. Brad Sherman (a California Democrat) said he thought Republicans forced a vote, that was sure to fail, on this issue as a political stunt ahead of midterm elections.
He said that the Republican leadership brought the bill to the floor, not to make it law, but to drive a wedge between the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. This would allow them to run advertisements which will place our party at the side of those screaming “death” to America, as well as “death” to Israel.
Zachary Schermele, congressional correspondent at USA TODAY. You can reach him by email at zschermele@usatoday.com. Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele and Bluesky at @zachschermele.bsky.social.

Kevin O’Leary, a celebrity investor and renowned liberal politician in Utah, was sued for defamation by two Utah residents on Wednesday. They claimed that O’Leary falsely accused the plaintiffs of being Chinese agents after they challenged his plans to construct a massive data center near Great Salt Lake.
Gabi Finlayson is a political consultant and Josh Kanter is a lawyer. They both said that Mr. O’Leary’s allegations, although baseless, even according to the Shark Tank host, have upended their businesses and lives, and they’ve been dragged into an online conspiracy tangle. The two claimed that they were harassed on the internet and wrongly labelled as illegal agents for the Chinese Communist Party.
Finlayson stated, “Personally I think people assume that it is funny or fun.” “It’s not. “It’s terrifying and stressful.”
This lawsuit was filed at the federal court of Utah. It was the latest development in the story surrounding O’Leary’s attempt to build the largest datacenter in the world in an isolated corner of Utah. The proposal was so controversial that it shook state politics, and even helped the State Senate President lose his position in a Republican Primary last month.
The suit claims that Ms. Finlayson, and Mr. Kanter were the victim of “a smear campaign”, as Mr. O’Leary appeared on Fox Business Channel multiple times to call out critics of the venture.
The lawsuit asks that Ms. Finlayson and Mr. Kanter be compensated for damage done to their businesses and reputations. However, it does not give a specific dollar figure.
We’re used for people to disagree with us, Ms. Finlayson stated. She was referring to the work she did as a liberal candidate in Utah. It’s one thing to be criticized in minutes, but it’s another entirely when your reputation is ruined.
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