Top red flags

Top red flags

• Committed to revisiting an opinion from DOJ related to the Comstock Act, an antiquated law that anti-abortion extremists are trying to misuse as a “backdoor” nationwide abortion ban.
• Affirmed that DOJ is working to make the Dobbs decision “permanent in every single state” and that he sees limiting access to medication abortion as a “victory.” 
• Refused to defend FDA’s changes to mifepristone’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS), despite robust evidence showing that medication abortion via telehealth is safe and effective.

Statements and Policy Actions

Statements and Policy Actions 

• On a call with religious stakeholders and at least one anti-abortion organization, Blanche, in his official capacity as Acting Attorney General, said he’s “putting practices and policies in place” “so that the Dobbs decision becomes permanent in every single state.” He further stated these practices and policies would stop states and other organizations from “do[ing] things like they’re doing with mailing in mail-order [abortion] drugs.” Blanche also reassured anti-abortion advocates that they would have “permanent” victory “soon.”
• During his confirmation hearing, Blanche:
  • Committed to reviewing an opinion from DOJ’s Office of Legal Counsel related to mailing medication abortion to “ensure it faithfully reflects the actual statutory text that Congress enacted.” He went on to agree to a request that DOJ “carefully evaluate every lawful action available to ensure the faithful enforcement of the Comstock act and other federal pro-life acts.” 
    • Previously, Blanche called the antiquated Comstock Act “an important law” and said he would “carefully review the issues in consultation with attorneys at DOJ and other government agencies.”
  • Said that DOJ is “not in any way defending” what he has referred to as “Biden’s” changes to mifepristone’s REMS, and said that FDA is evaluating mifepristone safety “for the first time in a decade.”  
    • FDA’s decision to modify mifepristone’s REMS in 2023 was based on robust scientific evidence showing that medication abortion via telehealth is safe and effective. The FDA has also consistently monitored patient safety for mifepristone over the 25+ years that it has been approved.
  • When asked about FDA’s dispensing requirements for medication abortion, Blanche claimed that the medication comes with “no instructions” and committed DOJ resources to “stopping this.”
    • In reality, telehealth abortion care is provider-supported, like all other telehealth care. It includes detailed medical screening and follow-up. People receiving mifepristone via telehealth are connected to trained providers through secure, private systems. Abortion pills are incredibly safe whether taken at a clinic or at home. 
  • Agreed to look into a potential new DOJ initiative that would help states enforce restrictive abortion laws. 
• Blanche called FACE Act enforcement under the Biden administration “completely inappropriate.” He also accused Biden’s DOJ of bias against anti-abortion extremists, claiming staff were “working very closely with outside organizations” to “go after individuals who were pro-life.”
  • In reality, Biden’s DOJ appropriately prosecuted and attained convictions for extremists who enacted real harm on people like our client, Renee Chelian. Her clinic was attacked by extremists who physically prevented staff and patients from entering the facility, including one patient who was actively bleeding and needed immediate medical attention.
• Blanche issued the order establishing the “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” which explicitly identified anti-abortion extremists convicted of violating the FACE Act as potential recipients of monetary compensation.
  • Blanche later retreated after significant Congressional and public backlash, stating that while the fund would not move forward, the reasons for the fund were “as important as [they] were before.”  
• Blanche leads the “Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias,” which has been charged with reviewing existing policies that the administration views as “anti-Christian.”
  • The task force accused multiple agencies of discriminating against anti-abortion activists, claimed the FACE Act was weaponized against individuals with anti-abortion views, and brought anti-abortion activists to speak before it.
• When asked by Members of Congress whether he would prosecute physicians that “perform life-saving abortions protected under EMTALA,” Blanche did not directly answer the question, saying there were “deeply held beliefs on this topic” and that he would “protect the rights of every American under our laws.”

Publications

Publications 

• In his role as Deputy Attorney General and Acting Attorney General, Blanche helped prepare the following reports:
  • “The Biden Administration’s Weaponization of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act,” which accuses Biden’s DOJ of “biased enforcement of the FACE Act” and collaboration with “pro-abortion groups.” 
  • “The 2026 Report: Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias within the Federal Government,” which claims that Biden’s DOJ “weaponized the FACE Act against non violent, pro-life demonstrators.” 
  • “The Initial Report: Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias within the Federal Government,” which accuses multiple agencies of discriminating against anti-abortion activists.

Extremist connections

Extremist connections

• Senator Josh Hawley, who is vehemently anti-abortion, called Blanche “very, very good on pro-life issues.”
• Americans United for Life, a major anti-abortion organization, endorsed Blanche’s nomination. They said his confirmation would advance their cause and called him a “sincere advocate for human life and a faithful servant of President Trump’s pro-life agenda.” 
• A group of anti-abortion attorneys submitted a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of Blanche’s nomination, calling his work at DOJ “especially encouraging to the pro-life cause.”