Todd Blanche reamed after 'clear violation' of judge's order: 'More than we allow'

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Raw Story

July 9, 2026 12:28PM ET


Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche was called out by name after the Justice Department violated a federal judge's sealing order by discussing a sealed case at a press conference, a magistrate judge ruled Thursday. U.S. Magistrate Judge Laura McNally had ordered U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros, of the Northern District of Illinois, into court after the Justice Department publicly discussed the case at the July 1 event — while her order sealing it was still in effect.

Blanche led the press conference alongside FBI Director Kash Patel, according to the Justice Department. It was a showcase for Trump's crackdown on Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang the administration designated a foreign terrorist organization.

"There was a clear violation of the sealing order," McNally said in court, according to Sun-Times reporter Jon Seidel. "The order was unambiguous." "You identified there was a complaint, you named two of the individuals, and then you gave details and asserted to the public these details form the basis for the complaint," McNally told Boutros, according to Tribune reporter Jason Meisner.

The judge then scolded Blanche, who was not in the courtroom, for making statements about the sealed documents during the press conference.

Read more: https://www.rawstory.com/todd-blanche-judge-clear-violation/

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Link to tweet

Jon Seidel
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Jul 9, 2026
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Replying to @SeidelContent
McNally points out that photos were used during the press conference.

"Those photos were lifted from this under-seal complaint and put up on a screen," McNally says.
Jon Seidel
@SeidelContent
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McNally tells Boutros the seal order didn't end until 3 p.m. July 2.

She says there was a "clear violation of the sealing order. The order was unambiguous."
11:17 AM · Jul 9, 2026

[FakeNoose]

1. He can't be the Attorney General if he gets disbarred ...

Just sayin'

[MLWR]

8. Unfortunately, he can be AG

The Constitution does not state that the AG must be a lawyer.

[Marie Marie]

2. Scolded?? Give me a break - exactly what does qualify for a Contempt of Court charge with real consequences?

These little wrist taps are getting old and do nothing to punish people who refuse to abide by the law.

[Grins]

16. Agree. Pathetic. For too long. Grow a pair.

[moniss]

3. At what point will any judge in this country

ever hold these lawyers in contempt and refer them for sanctions against their license? 18 months of this middle finger to the courts regarding court orders and conduct and still here we are.

[Bluetus]

5. They know that if the Trump people ignore them, there is nothing they can do

In other words, they are afraid to make rulings, because that may result in our court system becoming completely irrelevant.

We cannot count on the courts to do everything.

[mopinko]

4. until 1 of these assholes is taken out in cuffs,

they’re gonna continue to laugh at judges.

[slightlv]

6. This x1000!

SOMEONE has to pay an actual price... and I don't mean in dollars and cents. SOMEONE has to be walked out the courtroom door in handcuffs by US marshalls and led to booking and then to a holding cell until final dispensation at a federal facility - And not one of those "club feds" like Epstein's girlfriend got herself into finally. Until we can see that happen, then corporations will always have more "personhood" than actual, real people (and definitely more than women!), and no one will believe in the rule of law in America any longer. The "Two Americas" will become a true-to-form actual reality for everyone, whether they like it or not.

Taking money from these b&ards just won't cut it any longer. You can't take enough of it from them to make any difference to them. It's not like it's earned with the sweat from their brow, anyway. It's UNEARNED money. They moved digits around in a computer. Whoopee! I wish I were evil and smart and immoral enough to do it, myself. But I'm not. And that's why taking it away from these rich a**holes will never make any difference to them. You might as well be talking monopoly money.

[mopinko]

7. they'll drag a $$ fine all the way to scotus.

or just refuse to pay it. we’re not seizing bank accounts, either, which shd happen.

[angrychair]

9. Justice system is broken

The DOJ no longer cares what the courts think. All they ever do is say "don't do that again or I'll have to tell you to not do that again".

The courts and this government only serves the interests of corporations and their billionaire owners.

[progressoid]

10. So...what punishment? A gentle rap on the knuckles with a wet noodle?

[Fil1957]

11. What about disbarment? If some of these clowns start getting disbarred, the number of frivolous court proceedings and

the defiance of court orders from the Trump DOJ will go down dramatically.

[Scruffy1]

15. Disbarment doesn't mean shit.

They got the money so they don't need no bar license. Retire with millions to Mar a Logo.

[Scalded Nun]

12. Why do these judges not jail these bastards? If they get bailed out by Trump then so be it.

At least it will be on record.

[pat_k]

13. Judge McNally did not impose any discipline or order any further investigation of the matter. ...

Hold these assholes in contempt for goodness sake!!!

NYTimes gift link
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/09/us/chicago-prosecutor-boutros-judge-laura-mcnally.html?unlocked_article_code=1.wVA.1zTj.wdAP3f04A6jo&smid=nytcore-android-share

Judge McNally did not impose any discipline or order any further investigation of the matter. She also said she was not finding that Mr. Boutros had acted in willful defiance.

[Buddyzbuddy]

14. So?

All due respect.
Stop talking and start doing something. Otherwise, stop the ineffectual scolding.

Why shouldn't Blanche keep giving the finger to the Judicial System.
The President does it, the Republican Congress does it, the Cabinet does it, white Nationalists do it, MAGA definitely does it and 6 of 9 Supreme Court Justices give the finger to the Constitution.

[Renew Deal]

17. What is she going to do about it?

Besides saying it was a violation?

[dlk]

18. A scolding does what?

Where are sanctions with teeth?