NAACP Condemns Senate Confirmation of Todd Blanche as Attorney General

WASHINGTON — The NAACP condemns the Senate's confirmation of Todd Blanche as Attorney General of the United States, warning that his appointment places one of the nation's most powerful law enforcement positions in the hands of a loyalist whose record demonstrates hostility toward civil rights enforcement, voting rights protections, and fair and even-handed enforcement of the law. 

"Todd Blanche didn't earn this job by defending the Constitution. He earned it by defending Donald Trump," said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP. "His record is clear: he's attacked voting rights, abandoned civil rights enforcement, targeted Trump's perceived political enemies, orchestrated a slush fund and immunity deal at Trump's demand, and he's damaged the integrity and independence of the Department. The Department of Justice should be the guardian of justice, not a shield for corruption. Once again, this Senate has let us down. Regardless, the NAACP will be ready to meet this moment." 

Since serving as Deputy Attorney General and Acting Attorney General, Blanche has overseen actions that have weakened federal civil rights enforcement, targeted voting rights protections, rolled back police accountability measures, and diverted Justice Department resources toward politically motivated investigations.  

In a report submitted to the Senate Judiciary Committee ahead of the confirmation vote, the NAACP detailed what it described as a troubling pattern of conduct under Blanche's leadership. The Association pointed to Justice Department efforts to unlawfully obtain voter registration information from states across the country, rollbacks of longstanding civil rights protections, retreat from police accountability investigations, and actions that guard against discrimination in employment, housing, education, and other areas of public life. 

The Association also raised concerns about the Department's diminished focus on hate crime enforcement, its targeting of civil rights organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center, and other policies that compromise the fairness and independence of the Department.  

The NAACP remains committed to aggressively monitoring actions taken by the Department of Justice during Attorney General Blanche's tenure and will continue to seek and demand accountability when it is due.  

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About NAACP 

The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities. 

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF – was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operatesas a completely separate entity.