Blanche cautions attorneys who criticize the Justice Department

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche indicated on Thursday that attorneys who openly criticize the Trump administration for being lenient on white-collar crime could face challenges in securing favorable outcomes for corporate clients. Speaking to legal advisors specializing in U.S. anti-bribery laws, Blanche emphasized that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is handling such matters with precision and determination.

Blanche expressed frustration with lawyers who publicly claim the administration has de-prioritized white-collar enforcement while privately asserting that their clients are unfairly targeted. "If attorneys present themselves as honest brokers to clients, the public statements should reflect private counsel. Inconsistencies between these messages do not go unnoticed," he told a large audience at a Foreign Corrupt Practices Act conference near Washington.

He did not specify consequences for such discrepancies but criticized a pattern he observed among some members of the white-collar bar. "It's striking how certain lawyers consistently portray clients as victims of government overreach, yet simultaneously release public alerts suggesting DOJ is not rigorously enforcing white-collar crime. That perception is incorrect," Blanche said, reaffirming that these cases remain a priority for the administration, the attorney general, and the department.

Earlier in Trumps term, an executive order temporarily eased FCPA enforcement after complaints that aggressive actions increased costs for U.S. businesses and hindered competitiveness abroad. The law prohibits U.S. firms from bribing foreign officials. New DOJ guidance issued in June continues to uphold enforcement, according to Blanche.

"Bribery, domestic or international, undermines trust, disrupts fair competition, and fosters other criminal activity," he stated. At the same time, Blanche acknowledged that past prosecutorial methods sometimes overemphasized minor gifts or entertainment provided to foreign officials. "Investigating longstanding American companies differs from pursuing international cartels. Minor courtesies and low-value customary business practices should not dominate U.S. criminal enforcement," he said.

Blanche also hinted at a shift in DOJs approach to cases involving foreign companies with only tenuous U.S. connections. "When bribery schemes have minimal links to the United States and are better addressed abroad, we may choose not to intervene," he concluded.

Author: Zoe Harrison