Todd Blanche, who holds a prominent position as the second-in-command at the Department of Justice, has become a focal point of controversy among the staunchest supporters of the president.

Once hailed as a formidable legal advocate for Donald Trump, Blanche now finds himself in conflict with significant segments of the movement he previously upheld. This situation highlights a broader debate over whether the Justice Department should maintain its autonomy or cater to presidential demands.

Blanche, serving as the deputy attorney general, is reportedly hindering the appointment of DOJ candidates endorsed by the MAGA faction, according to two individuals privy to the situation.

He is also said to be marginalizing certain DOJ staff, dismissing ideas and proposals he opposes and accusing figures like special attorney Ed Martin of leaking information and lacking loyalty.

Despite these accusations, Blanche reportedly maintains the unwavering support of Pam Bondi, according to insiders. He is accused of obstructing pardons for January 6 participants facing further legal issues, blocking initiatives to compensate them, and rejecting requests for early release related to January 6 “relief” efforts.

Peter Ticktin, a longtime associate of Trump and a practicing attorney, has publicly accused Blanche of obstructing core elements of the administration’s agenda.

In a recent appearance on a right–wing podcast, Ticktin claimed that Blanche has stalled efforts to provide financial settlements to individuals convicted in connection with the Capitol riot.

‘Everything that needs to be going forward in order to make Donald Trump’s presidency work is being stalled intentionally by this man,’ Ticktin said.

Once celebrated as one of Trump’s most capable legal defenders, Blanche now finds himself at odds with key factions of the very movement he once protected — symbolizing a deeper struggle over whether the Justice Department should operate with independence or bend to the president’s agenda

Three sources familiar with conversations describe Ed Martin as being closest to the MAGA base, nothing that he has the most strained relationship with Blanche within the department

Todd Blanche, the second–highest–ranking official at the Department of Justice, has emerged as a lightning rod among the president’s most ardent supporters

‘Todd was a Democrat until a couple of years ago,’ one source close to conversations with the DOJ said. ‘But he was the best of Trump’s lawyers, so people from the campaign and central operations love him.’

Todd Blanche changed political affiliation in 2016, just seven years after President Trump. 

Before representing Trump at his New York trial In 2023, Blanche was a registered Democrat and a partner at Wall Street’s oldest firm, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft — where the nation’s corporate elite find legal help. 

Three sources familiar with conversations describe Martin – a conservative firebrand from Missouri – as being closest to the MAGA base, translating into having the most strained relationship with Blanche within the department. 

Martin and Blanche have reportedly clashed several times with a source saying the pair do not ‘see eye–to–eye.’

In one striking example, Martin went after a former FBI agent in late September – with Trump’s blessing. The target was William Aldenberg, who had testified against conspiracy theorist Alex Jones in the Sandy Hook defamation trial.

Around September 15, Martin sent a letter to Aldenberg’s lawyer that came across as threatening. It questioned whether the ex-agent had personally profited from his role in the lawsuit and hinted at possible criminal charges.

The aggressive move backfired. Blanche pushed back hard, urging Martin to stand down and withdraw the letter within days. According to two Justice Department sources, Blanche questioned why they were creating controversy over such an insignificant target.

Martin is also reportedly frustrated that he is not a US attorney, even though a DOJ insider says that ‘isn’t Todd’s fault’, and that he ‘tried to help Martin with his failed confirmation. 

Blanche, however, masterminded Trump’s defense in two federal cases – over classified documents at Mar–a–Lago and efforts to overturn the 2020 election – deploying delay tactics and presidential immunity arguments to shield his client. The Mar–a–Lago case was dismissed by Judge Cannon, who found that the appointment of Jack Smith was unconstitutional

A source close to Blanche and the President says he has the commander–in–chiefs complete confidence on every issue

As one Trump’s key defense lawyers, Blanche helped Trump fight hush–money payments, which he ultimately lost trial, but appealed later

Martin’s nomination to be US attorney for the District of Columbia crashed and burned in the Senate earlier this year, facing fierce opposition from both Democrats and Republicans. North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis slammed Martin’s defense of January 6 rioters and lack of trial experience as disqualifying.

‘Todd was a champ for me when I was the D.C. US Attorney, and really when we decided to try to get me confirmed. My friends at main Justice told me that he told everyone that my confirmation was DOJ’s top priority. It didn’t work out, but I will never forget it—and now that I am working on his staff, it makes me think this is how it was meant to be,’ Martin told Daily Mail in response to our inquiry. 

But Trump found another place for his loyalist. Martin now serves as associate deputy attorney general and pardon attorney at the DOJ, where he leads the so-called ‘weaponization working group’ – tasked with investigating alleged political bias in federal law enforcement.

Critics say the role is ill-defined and overtly political, raising alarm about the scope of Martin’s influence within the Justice Department.

‘I don’t think Martin is really thrilled to be the pardon attorney, not sure he is really that engaged in it. There hasn’t been a pardon since May 29. He is flailing around looking for the right gig,’ a legal source familiar with the inner workings of the DOJ said.

‘Nice enough guy, but has no business being anywhere near DOJ. He has never tried a criminal case. He is an obvious conspicuous loyalist to Trump in every step of the way,’ the same source said.

As one of Trump’s key defense lawyers, Blanche helped fight the hush-money case – which Trump lost at trial but later appealed.

But Blanche’s real triumph came in two federal cases. He masterminded Trump’s defense over the classified documents at Mar-a-Lago and efforts to overturn the 2020 election, deploying delay tactics and presidential immunity arguments that ultimately killed both prosecutions.

Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the Mar-a-Lago case, ruling that special counsel Jack Smith’s appointment was unconstitutional. The January 6 case was dropped by the Justice Department after Trump won the election.

Despite the infighting, a source close to both Blanche and the president insists he retains Trump’s complete confidence.

‘Todd is not a politically-oriented attorney,’ the source told Daily Mail. ‘I think there are people near the president who are much more politically focused, who would want to take Todd Blanche down.’

At the tip of that takedown spear is Martin, who still holds sway with some White House staff, as well as the president.

On his relationship with Blanche, Martin tells Daily Mail, ‘There are people outside the building who have no idea how Todd and I function inside the building—which in a way is how I want it—but, given all this BS being said—I gotta speak up. Todd and I have a great and robust relationship. A lot of times, because of the generational divide with the ODAG staff, he and I share cultural references or jokes that move the meetings along.’ 

In a statement to Daily Mail, a DOJ spokesperson says, ‘The entire Justice Department is united as one team in our mission executing President Trump’s directive to make America safe again.’