Todd Blanche, the second-in-command at the Department of Justice, has become a contentious figure among the staunchest supporters of the president.

Once hailed as one of Donald Trump’s formidable legal advocates, Blanche now finds himself clashing with key parts of the movement he once defended. This conflict highlights an ongoing debate about whether the Justice Department should maintain its independence or align with presidential directives.

As the deputy attorney general, Blanche is reportedly blocking potential DOJ appointees who have the backing of the MAGA community, according to two insiders familiar with the situation.

He is also accused of marginalizing others within the DOJ, pushing aside initiatives he disagrees with, and accusing individuals like special attorney Ed Martin of leaking information and being disloyal.

Despite enjoying the full support of Pam Bondi, according to sources, Blanche is criticized for stalling pardons for January 6 participants facing new charges, thwarting efforts to compensate them, and denying early release requests tied to January 6 ‘relief’ initiatives.

Peter Ticktin, a long-time Trump associate and practicing lawyer, has openly accused Blanche of hindering the core components 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.’

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.

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.

The Daily Mail contacted Blanche, Bondi and Martin but did not receive a response.