Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche Advised to Recuse from Trump Matters Last Year

Less than two weeks after Todd Blanche assumed his role as deputy attorney general in March 2025, the Justice Department’s top ethics lawyer delivered a formal briefing stating that his recusal from legal cases involving President Donald Trump was necessary. The meeting, which has not been previously reported, marked the first formal notification to Blanche regarding the ethical boundaries of his role within the department.

Joseph Tirrell, the official conducting the briefing, reportedly provided Blanche and his then-deputy Emil Bove with a printed presentation on ethics. The guidance focused on the potential conflicts of interest created by Blanche’s previous work as Trump’s primary defense lawyer in federal criminal cases. Recusal has historically been a sensitive topic within the Trump administration, particularly following the fallout between the president and former Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Now serving as acting attorney general, Blanche finds himself in a complex ethical position. His past representation of Trump in cases involving mishandled classified records and efforts to overturn the 2020 election results places him at the center of a department now investigating the very officials Trump claims unfairly targeted him.

Blanche signed an ethics pledge agreeing not to participate for at least a year in matters involving past clients of his private law firm. Department regulations also prohibit officials from participating in investigations where they have a personal or political relationship with those involved. While a Justice Department spokeswoman stated Wednesday that Blanche is complying with all ethical obligations and is recused from many cases, the department has not specified which investigations are included.

The ethical concerns have intensified since Blanche appointed Joe diGenova to lead a reinvigorated investigation into an alleged broad conspiracy against the president. Some targets of this investigation include former CIA Director John Brennan. While Blanche has reportedly delegated oversight of this probe to top aides, he has not formally recused himself from all matters related to the president's political opponents.

Critics and legal experts have noted that the administration has recently reduced the number of career ethics staff within the department. Joseph Tirrell, the official who originally briefed Blanche on his recusal requirements, was fired in July 2025. Experts suggest that without a robust ethics firewall, the department risks its viability in court if future criminal charges are challenged based on prosecutorial bias. For now, the acting attorney general maintains that his actions are consistent with his oath and the president's right to seek investigations into perceived wrongdoing.

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