# 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.
- Title: Nothing Improper: Todd Blanche Rubbishes DOJ's 60-Day Rule in…
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: doj, todd blanche, louise lucas, 60-day rule, election interference, trump, voting, midterms, virginia, doj rule, election law, political prosecution
- Source: Law & Crime — https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/nothing-improper-todd-blanche-rubbishes-dojs-60-day-rule-in-louise-lucas-prosecution-but-trump-used-to-be-a-huge-proponent-of-the-anti-electioneering-tradition
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: doj, todd blanche, louise lucas, 60-day rule, election interference, trump, voting, midterms, virginia, doj rule, election law, political prosecution
## 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.
## Key takeaway

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.