WASHINGTON, D.C. — Blanche stated that he would focus on the core mission of upholding the rule of law fairly and impartially, keeping the country safe, and protecting the rights of every citizen. "I promise you that I will lead this department with integrity," he said during the remarks to employees.

The attorney general emphasized the importance of internal dialogue in shaping departmental policy. "I think disagreement is the only way that we make the best decisions as a department," Blanche said. He added that the fair administration of justice and the ability of staff to perform their duties depend on such open exchange.

Blanche acknowledged that his tenure would involve difficult choices and potential errors. "Everything that I do will not be the right path or the right decision," he said. He pledged to work as hard as any member of the staff and to listen to their ideas regarding necessary adjustments.

The attorney general addressed external criticism while showing the department's recent achievements. "It’s easy to focus on the negative or the news story that is critical of something we’re doing or something that we’ve done, or questions something that we're doing or something that we've done," he said. He urged staff to remember the positive work accomplished over the past year and a half.

Blanche vowed to uphold legal standards without bias. "I vow to uphold the rule of law without fear or favor," he said. This statement followed his confirmation by the Senate on Saturday with a vote tally of 50-49. Two Republican senators voted against his confirmation after initially threatening to derail the nomination.

Republican Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn withdrew their opposition after Blanche provided them with a pair of unenforceable memos. Before joining the Justice Department as deputy attorney general last year, Blanche served as Donald Trump's criminal defense lawyer. He had served in an acting capacity as attorney general starting in April prior to his confirmation.

PureSource News previously reported that Acting Attorney General Blanche worked to resolve objections in Washington. The outlet also reported that Blanche was scheduled to testify on the paused January 6 Fund. Justice Connection issued a statement regarding Blanche's speech on Thursday.

Timeline

Todd Blanche was confirmed by the Senate on Saturday, August 8, 2026, though two Republican senators voted against his confirmation. On Thursday, August 13, 2026, Attorney General Todd Blanche delivered his first formal speech to Justice Department staff in the Great Hall of the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building.

During the August 13 address, he stated, "I promise you that I will lead this department with integrity." He also said, "I vow to uphold the rule of law without fear or favor." Blanche further committed, "I promise you that I will focus on our core mission, which is to uphold the rule of law fairly and impartially, to keep this great country safe, and to protect the rights of every citizen in this country." He noted, "I think disagreement is the only way that we make the best decisions as a department."

What's New

Additional reporting indicates that Todd Blanche served in an acting capacity as attorney general starting in April. Further details from the speech include Blanche's promise to focus on the core mission to uphold the rule of law fairly and impartially, keep the country safe, and protect citizen rights. He also stated that disagreement is the only way to make the best decisions as a department and that the fair administration of justice depends on that dynamic. Contextual research includes a title published in 2012 in African American Studies Center titled Speech Delivered by Attorney General Eric Holder at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum (2011). Another research title published in 2004 in PsycEXTRA Dataset is Attorney General issues first annual report on human trafficking. PureSource News previously reported that Acting Attorney General Blanche works to resolve objections in Washington and that Blanche is to testify on the paused January 6 Fund.

Why It Matters

The speech establishes the operational philosophy of the newly confirmed attorney general following a narrow Senate vote. Blanche's emphasis on integrity and impartiality addresses the core mission of the Justice Department to uphold the rule of law and protect citizen rights. His acknowledgment of the value of internal disagreement suggests a management approach that relies on diverse input for decision-making.

Blanche's transition from acting attorney general to confirmed leader follows a period of political negotiation, including the withdrawal of opposition from Senators Tillis and Cornyn. The address serves as a direct communication to staff regarding expectations for conduct and performance. It also positions the department's recent work against external criticism, framing the past year and a half as a period of positive accomplishment.