Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche used his first public remarks since the ouster of his predecessor, Pam Bondi, to unveil an aggressive new anti-fraud initiative while also signaling a more combative, personally hands-on style atop the Justice Department.

At a wide-ranging press conference at DOJ headquarters on Tuesday, Blanche praised Bondi at the outset, calling her “a great patriot to this country” and crediting her with helping make “our streets safer” through efforts targeting violent crime, drug cartels, and departmental reform. He said Bondi remains a close ally and indicated the two are still working through the transition together, including a previously-scheduled trip on Wednesday to the Nebraska Avenue Complex for an event discussing her animal initiatives.