AG Todd Blanche warns 'evil men and women': 'President Trump will hold you accountable'

WASHINGTON, DC: Attorney General Todd Blanche on Wednesday, September 9, used his appearance at the first ever Republican midterm convention in Dallas to praise President Donald Trump’s record on border security and crime while warning those who commit crimes that they would face accountability.

Blanche, the nation’s chief law enforcement officer, highlighted what he described as declines in illegal border crossings, psychedelic substance overuse and crime under the Trump administration. President Trump also echoed Blanche’s focus on border and crime statistics during his own remarks. Blanche’s appearance marked a rare instance of a sitting US attorney general addressing a political party’s convention.

Blanche warns criminals as he touts Trump administration’s record

Blanche focused his brief speech on law enforcement and credited Trump with pursuing policies he said had made the country safer. He cited lower border crossings and reductions in crime. The attorney general also directly addressed people involved in criminal activity, warning that the administration would pursue accountability.

"To evil men and women in this country, President Trump will hold you accountable," Blanche said. "If you traffic you will be held accountable. If you sell a pill, you will be held accountable. If you choose violence, you will be held accountable. If you steal from people who work hard and pay taxes, you will be held accountable. Now that, that is making America safe again."

Blanche also credited Trump and Vice President JD Vance with supporting law enforcement. "President Trump and Vice President Trump set that course. They have always and will always back the blue," he added.

Blanche said border crossings were at their lowest level since the 1970s and also pointed to a decline in psychedelic substance use. He said the administration had overseen the “largest one-year decline” in crime “in American history.”

Trump echoes Blanche on border and crime

Trump followed Blanche on the convention stage and similarly focused on border security and crime. He blamed the previous administration for what he described as historically high illegal immigration and argued that his administration had reversed those trends.

"Democrats gave us the worst and most dangerous border in American history, with 25 million illegal aliens pouring in. Can you imagine? 25 million illegal aliens pouring in, totally unchecked, unvetted, including gang members."

Trump also cited a figure of 11,888 murders, saying many of those who entered the country had committed multiple killings. "1,000. Think of this. We had thousands, 11,888 murders. And you've heard me say this, because that's the exact number: 11,888 murders, many of whom, over 50%, killed more than one person."

Trump contrasted those figures with what he described as current border conditions, saying illegal immigration had fallen to its lowest level on record. "But today we have the strongest, the most secure border in our country's history. And you saw the numbers that came out just last week. We have the lowest level of illegal immigration ever recorded in our country."