Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Justice Department will not try to regulate artificial intelligence, declaring, “We’re prosecutors, not regulators.”
Story Highlights
- Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Department of Justice will not regulate artificial intelligence, but will prosecute crimes involving it.
- Blanche called artificial intelligence “extraordinarily beneficial” and said the administration does not want to slow it down.
- The Department of Justice already manages its own internal use of artificial intelligence under existing guidance, separate from industry regulation.
- This stance fits a broader pattern: let Congress and regulators set rules while the Department of Justice enforces criminal law.
Blanche Defines the Department of Justice’s Lane on Artificial Intelligence
Attorney General Todd Blanche stated at the White House that the Department of Justice will not write rules for artificial intelligence. Blanche said the department’s job is to enforce the law, not regulate industries. He added that if people use artificial intelligence to break criminal laws, prosecutors will investigate and bring charges. Blanche also said the department has already brought cases tied to artificial intelligence misuse, without listing them in his remarks.
Blanche’s message draws a clear line. The Department of Justice prosecutes crimes under laws Congress already passed. It does not set technical standards or regulate products. That approach keeps elected lawmakers and designated regulators in charge of new rules. It also signals that businesses building artificial intelligence should follow existing fraud, privacy, civil rights, and antitrust laws, or face criminal enforcement when conduct crosses the legal line.
Administration Signals Support for Innovation Over Red Tape
Blanche praised artificial intelligence as “extraordinarily beneficial” and said the administration does not want to slow its growth. That emphasis lines up with President Trump’s push to keep America ahead in advanced technology. It also rejects calls for blanket pauses and heavy-handed rules that could push jobs and research overseas. The message to builders is simple: innovate, compete, and obey the law. The message to bad actors is also simple: crime still brings charges.
The Department of Justice’s internal planning shows that the department treats artificial intelligence as a tool to manage and as a risk to handle inside government. An existing compliance plan describes how the department coordinates its own use of artificial intelligence and manages risks, while promoting innovation. That is different from regulating the private sector. It is basic governance inside a federal agency that still leaves outside rulemaking to the proper venues.
Why “Prosecutors, Not Regulators” Matters for Conservatives
Blanche’s stance guards against regulation by prosecution. That is when agencies try to shape whole industries through case-by-case actions instead of clear rules. Conservatives have warned for years that this blurs lines, fuels mission creep, and invites political targeting. By stating the Department of Justice’s role is criminal enforcement, Blanche limits government overreach and protects due process. Clear laws come from Congress. Stable rules come from regulators with proper authority. Prosecutors bring cases when conduct breaks those laws.
This moment fits a wider pattern in fast-moving tech. As new tools spread, some demand instant controls. Others argue that current laws already cover fraud, theft, discrimination, and collusion. Blanche’s view tracks the second path. It keeps the courtroom focused on crimes and keeps policy fights where they belong. That balance protects liberty while still punishing harm. It supports strong growth, strong policing, and a strong America that leads the world in innovation without gutting common sense safeguards.
