May 20 WATCH: U.S. announces indictment of former Cuban President Raúl Castro By Joshua Goodman, Alanna Durkin Richer, Associated Press Federal prosecutors on Wednesday announced charges against former Cuban President Raúl Castro in the 1996 downing of civilian planes operated by Miami-based exiles as the Trump administration escalated pressure on the socialist government. Continue reading
May 19 Blanche faces senators on new Trump 'weaponization' fund, Epstein, budget cuts By Maria Ramirez Uribe Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche faced lawmakers Tuesday for the first time since taking the role, answering to bipartisan questions about his department’s newly created “Anti-Weaponization Fund.”… Continue reading
May 19 WATCH: Vance addresses Paxton endorsement, DOJ fund in White House briefing By Associated Press As he defended the new Justice Department weaponization fund, Vance said unequivocally that neither the president, his administration, nor his family will benefit from the new $1.8 billion pot of money. Continue reading
May 19 WATCH: Acting Attorney General Blanche questioned on 'weaponization' fund in budget hearing By Alanna Durkin Richer, Eric Tucker, Associated Press The Trump administration announced Monday the creation of a nearly $1.8 billion fund to compensate allies of the Republican president who believe they have been unjustly investigated and prosecuted. Blanche is expected to be pressed on the fund when he… Continue reading
May 08 White House Correspondents' Dinner suspect seeks recusal of top DOJ officials By Michael Kunzelman, Associated Press A man charged with attacking the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner is seeking to disqualify top Justice Department officials from direct involvement in prosecuting him because they could be considered victims or witnesses in the case, creating a potential conflict… Continue reading
Apr 29 WATCH: Blanche, newly confirmed ATF head Cekada propose gun regulation rollbacks By Alanna Durkin Richer, Associated Press Justice Department officials moved Wednesday to roll back and modify a slate of gun regulations in a dramatic shift in firearm policy pushed by Second Amendment supporters in President Donald Trump's base. Continue reading
Apr 27 WATCH: Blanche, Patel and Pirro announce federal charges against accused Trump dinner gunman By Eric Tucker, Michael Kunzelman, Alanna Durkin Richer, Associated Press The man who authorities say tried to storm the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner with guns and knives was charged Monday with the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump as federal authorities suggested an attack that disrupted one of Washington's… Continue reading
Apr 23 Trump reclassifies state-licensed medical marijuana as less-dangerous drug By Alanna Durkin Richer, Gene Johnson, Associated Press The order signed by Todd Blanche does not legalize marijuana for medical or recreational use under federal law. But it does change the way it's regulated. Continue reading
Apr 21 WATCH: Justice Department charges SPLC with fraud over paid informant program By Collin Binkley, Alanna Durkin Richer, Rebecca Boone, Associated Press The Southern Poverty Law Center was indicted Tuesday on federal fraud charges alleging it improperly raised millions of dollars to pay informants to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan and other extremist groups, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said. Continue reading
Apr 03 What to know about Todd Blanche, Trump's pick for acting attorney general By Michael R. Sisak, Associated Press Before picking Blanche to help lead and now run the Justice Department, President Donald Trump was his client. Continue reading