When Todd Blanche was nominated for Deputy Attorney General in January 2025, a sweeping endorsement came from 116 former colleagues at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. They praised him as a paragon of the Department of Justice's core values, including "independence, impartiality, and integrity." This broad support seemed to confirm his suitability for the role, but their current sentiments tell a different story.

Lisa Rubin of MS NOW recently revisited these endorsements in light of Blanche's upcoming confirmation as Attorney General, revealing a stark turnaround. Of the original signatories contacted, only two remain steadfast in their support. The majority have expressed a significant shift, driven by Blanche's actions over the past 18 months, including his staunch defense of controversial policies and alignment with Trump's broader agenda, which has cost him dearly in terms of respect and personal relationships within the SDNY community.

The few who still support Blanche argue that he is managing "the hardest job in the country" with the necessary aggression and caution. However, their support seems tepid and hinges on the belief that he is the lesser of evils—a sentiment echoed in a recent op-ed by former Attorney General Bill Barr.

In contrast, former prosecutors Mimi Rocah and Perry Carbone, both SDNY veterans, have voiced their disillusionment. In an op-ed released on the morning of the confirmation hearing, they detailed their concerns about Blanche's transformation and its implications for the integrity of the Justice Department. Their stance is part of a growing chorus of former DOJ alumni who are urging the Senate to reject Blanche's nomination, pointing to a series of questionable decisions and policies under his watch.

These include the controversial handling of the Epstein files, the mismanagement of a $1.8 billion DOJ fund, and a wave of departures from the DOJ, which saw 16,000 employees leave, including a quarter of its attorneys.

Despite these controversies, Blanche’s confirmation seems likely due to the current political dynamics in the Senate. Yet, the shift in sentiment among his former SDNY colleagues provides a poignant reflection of the costs of his tenure at the DOJ. Once praised as a beacon of fairness and integrity, Blanche now faces a legacy marred by division and distrust, highlighting a dramatic fall from grace in the eyes of many who once supported him.