Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche delivered a fiery defense of the Justice Department's latest actions at the Federalist Society's annual lawyers' conference, using colorful language to dismiss accusations of weaponizing the justice system.
Blanche began with a provocative statement about the previous administration's Justice Department, declaring, "What happened the past four years within the United States Department of Justice, I'm going to say a Latin term: bats---t crazy" — drawing laughter from the staunchly conservative audience. Politico reported on the speech.
Addressing claims of political prosecution, Blanche passionately argued, "When I read now that we're weaponizing, I feel like I'm being gaslit, because we're doing exactly the opposite. I take umbrage at the idea that the work that our prosecutors are doing is weaponization, because I have receipts. I know what happened the past couple years. I've lived it."
He was particularly critical of judges, asserting, "They have a robe on but they are more political or certainly as political as the most liberal governor or [district attorney] … There's a group of judges that are repeat players, and that's obviously not by happenstance, that's intentional, and it's a war, man."
Blanche also took aim at professional legal organizations, specifically targeting the D.C. Bar, calling it "one of the most activist, obnoxious bars when it comes to going after conservative lawyers. It's out of this world."
The deputy attorney general complained about media coverage of immigration policies, suggesting journalists unfairly criticize the administration's approach while ignoring similar past statements by Democratic politicians.
Throughout his speech, Blanche maintained a combative tone, repeatedly framing legal challenges as a "war" and portraying the Justice Department as fighting against what he sees as politically motivated resistance.
His remarks came in the context of recent high-profile indictments of Trump's political opponents, including former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, both of whom have pleaded not guilty to their respective charges.