From Law & Crime · · 3m
Nothing Improper: Todd Blanche Rubbishes DOJ's 60-Day Rule in Louise Lucas Prosecution
Todd Blanche says DOJ's 60-day election rule doesn't apply to Louise Lucas' charges.
In brief
Todd Blanche says DOJ's 60-day election rule doesn't apply to Louise Lucas' charges. U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche claims the DOJ's 60-day rule for election interference doesn't block charges against Virginia Democrat Louise Lucas, despite Trump previously supporting longer timelines. Originally reported by Law &…
DOJ files charges against Virginia Democrat
U.S. Department of Justice filed federal criminal indictment against Virginia state Sen. Louise Lucas less than two weeks before midterms.
60-day rule under scrutiny
The DOJ's informal 60-day rule advises against taking law enforcement actions close to elections to avoid influencing outcomes.
Blanche addresses timing of charges
U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said the typical practice is DOJ doesn't usually release charges this close to elections.
Blanche defends timing
Blanche stated the justice manual specifies DOJ cannot bring charges with improper purpose, and this purpose is not improper.
Lucas' daughter also charged
Lucas' daughter, who is running for Portsmouth City Council, is also charged in the marijuana, racketeering and money laundering case.
Trump previously supported rule
President Donald Trump once strongly disagreed with the 60-day rule, arguing for longer timelines than 60 days.
Trump's 2024 complaint
In February 2024, Trump complained about then-special counsel Jack Smith's Mar-a-Lago investigation being too close to the 2024 election.
Trump's 2024 filing
Trump's filing referenced the DOJ inspector general's report on former FBI Director James Comey's handling of the Hillary Clinton email probe.
Blanche defended Trump's position
Blanche was the lead attorney on Trump's defense filing that extolled the virtues of the anti-electioneering tradition.
Trump's 2024 complaint about Jan 6
In August 2024, Trump complained about a superseding indictment being filed within 60 days of early voting for the 2024 election.
Trump's current stance
In the two years since, Trump appears to have lost his taste for the 60-day rule.
DOJ's position on rule
The DOJ believes the 60-day rule poses no real barrier when charging political candidates or their immediate family members.
Blanche's quote on rule
Blanche said the 60-day or 90-day practice is not in writing, not part of the justice manual, and there's nothing improper about this purpose.
Trump's 2024 complaint about Jan 6
Trump wrote on Truth Social that DOJ policy prohibits actions influencing elections within 60 days but they violated their own policy.
Current political tension
The timing of the DOJ's charges against Louise Lucas raises questions about the 60-day rule's application in political prosecutions.
What to remember
U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche claims the DOJ's 60-day rule for election interference doesn't block charges against Virginia Democrat Louise Lucas, despite Trump previously supporting longer timelines.
