WASHINGTON, D.C. — Attorney General Todd Blanche stated there is a possibility the Justice Department will ask the Supreme Court to intervene in cases where judges ruled against federal efforts to access state voter rolls. The department has lost 22 cases so far in its efforts to gain broad access to state voter rolls.

Federal judges in Oregon and Michigan have agreed with at least 22 states that sought to block the federal government from gaining access to their voter rolls. The Justice Department has sued 30 states and Washington, D.C. for refusing to comply with the request for voter roll data.

The legal conflict stems from an executive order signed by President Trump asking states to turn over voter rolls including names, dates of birth, residential addresses, state driver’s licenses, and the last four digits of Social Security numbers. Some states fighting the federal government in court are led by Republicans, including Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Georgia, and Vermont. Vermont Governor Phil Scott stated that state leaders are better positioned to run elections than the federal government.

Blanche made a deal with Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn regarding concerns about a settlement the Justice Department made with the president in the wake of his lawsuit against the IRS. Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn had concerns about a nearly $2 billion 'anti-weaponization' fund that would have allowed people to collect money from the Justice Department if they felt it was weaponized against them.

Blanche stated that the 'anti-weaponization' fund is dead. He also stated: "The president will never ask me to do something unethical or legal or illegal. He never has. He never will."

Why It Matters

The Justice Department's losses in 22 cases highlight the scale of judicial pushback against federal attempts to access state-held voter data. With lawsuits pending against 30 states and Washington, D.C. the outcome will determine the extent of federal authority over election administration records. The involvement of Republican-led states such as Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Georgia, and Vermont demonstrates that the dispute crosses partisan lines, focusing on jurisdictional boundaries rather than party affiliation.

The potential Supreme Court intervention marks a critical juncture for voting rights and privacy laws. The executive order seeks sensitive personal information, including Social Security numbers and driver’s license details, raising privacy concerns under statutes like the Privacy Act of 1974. The resolution of these cases will establish precedent for how federal agencies can compel states to share citizen data, impacting future election security measures and civil rights enforcement.

Timeline

The Department of Justice issued a memo in April 2026 questioning a ban on mailing firearms, citing the Supreme Court’s decision in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen. Blanche took over as acting attorney general after President Trump fired Attorney General Pam Bondi in April 2026. Vermont H 927 (An act relating to technical corrections for the 2026 legislative session) was sponsored by House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs. Latest action: House message: Governor approved bill on April 30, 2026.

Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon stated: "I understand people have policy differences with DOJ’s enforcement of federal laws, but, in my opinion, and I’ve said this to many gun groups, the appropriate place to launch those policy discussions is in Congress, not with us." The Department of Justice dropped its appeal in the Fifth Circuit, allowing a nationwide injunction issued in September 2025 blocking enforcement of the post office carry ban to stand. Vermont Governor Phil Scott stated that state leaders are better positioned to run elections than the federal government. The Senate confirmed Blanche as Attorney General earlier in August 2026. The Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel informed Attorney General Blanche that under current law, firearms are not banned in post offices under a broad exception covering many who carry concealed.

What's New

The Department of Justice issued a memo in April 2026 questioning a ban on mailing firearms, citing the Supreme Court’s decision in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen. To repeal the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. Was sponsored by Rep. Stump, Bob [R-AZ-3]. Latest action: Referred to the House Committee on House Oversight.

The Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel informed Attorney General Blanche that under current law, firearms are not banned in post offices under a broad exception covering many who carry concealed. Vermont H 927 (An act relating to technical corrections for the 2026 legislative session) was sponsored by House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs. Latest action: House message: Governor approved bill on April 30, 2026.

The Department of Justice dropped its appeal in the Fifth Circuit, allowing a nationwide injunction issued in September 2025 blocking enforcement of the post office carry ban to stand. PureSource News previously reported: Acting Attorney General Blanche Works to Resolve Objections in Washington. PureSource News previously reported: Blanche to Testify on Paused January 6 Fund.

How Sources Differ

Sources differ on the details surrounding Attorney General Blanche. A Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel memorandum states that the Office of Legal Counsel informed Attorney General Blanche that under current law, firearms are not banned in post offices under a broad exception covering many who carry concealed. Other reports note that the Senate confirmed Blanche as attorney general in a 50-49 vote.

Reports vary on the confirmation of Blanche as attorney general. A U.S. Senate confirmation vote record states that the Senate confirmed Blanche as Attorney General earlier in August 2026. Other data indicates that the Senate confirmed Blanche as attorney general in a 50-49 vote.

Background information on Blanche's prior service varies. A New York State Supreme Court judgment in People v. Trump states that before returning to the White House, Blanche served as President Trump's personal attorney in a New York City case where the president was found guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Wikipedia states that Blanche served as the 40th deputy U.S. attorney general from 2025 to 2026.