Eric Bland

06/02/2026

06/02/2026

Just so it is crystal clear I do not endorse or recommend Jim Seidel’s book in the photograph below about the death of Stephen Smith. I initially thanked him in a single phone call that we had when he called me out of the blue and wanted to talk about Stephen Smith’s death and the investigation that he had done. I believe I told him that if he had information regarding Stephen Smith’s death that he should contact SLED or law-enforcement and that maybe he can qualify for the reward in connection with the murder, which currently is at $50,000.00. I had never met him before and didn’t know of his character. Now I do and so does my client Sandy Smith. We want nothing to do with this man in any aspect. He uses AI to put himself in photographs with people that do not give him permission to do so. He has mocked me, which is OK relentlessly but he has greatly offended and hurt Sandy Smith, who is a very dear client, great mother and good person. And for that, I could never forgive him. I do not endorse or recommend any thing that Jim Seidel does whether it is offering a book or his podcast or any of his social postings. It is my personal wish that I hope he just goes away quietly in the night, but I fear he never will. EB

06/02/2026

Before I got into this week's topics, I had to share something personal.

We lost our 8-year-old French Bulldog, Coco, and it's been a rough few weeks for Renee, me, and the kids. She was an incredible member of our family. If you've ever loved a dog like that, you know exactly what this feels like. Thank you all for the support you've shown our family.

The latest Weekly Update covers:
- The Texas Senate runoff — what Paxton’s win means for November
- Trump at the cabinet table: what he said, and what it signals
- The Democratic Party’s autopsy problem
- Iran: a fragile ceasefire and a moving target
- The $1.8 billion “weaponization” fund and its overlooked tax consequences
- Immigration: the green card policy change that would upend 125,000 lives
- Tulsi Gabbard’s exit — expected, but the reason mattered
- Government NDA policy: voluntary in name only
- Sports, the Knicks, and the NFL’s black coaches lawsuit

🎥 Full Weekly Update available on YouTube and Facebook.
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I'm Eric Bland, nationally recognized trial attorney and Founding Partner of Bland Richter. Each week, I host the Anything But Bland Weekly Update and write a newsletter breaking down the biggest legal stories, political drama, true crime, and cultural flashpoints through a justice-first lens.

Not legal advice.

Eric Bland – 105 W Main St, Ste D, Lexington, SC 29072 | Licensed South Carolina attorneys. This content is for informational purposes only.

06/01/2026

Please drop your questions for this week's Anything But Bland News Wrap-Up in the comments below. EB

06/01/2026

Winning a primary is one thing. Winning a general election is something else entirely.

I've been watching this pattern closely: candidates who do well in primaries then struggle when the broader electorate shows up — independents, Hispanics, women, young people. And right now, I have a hard time seeing how Democrats generate the kind of youth enthusiasm that Trump was able to build in 2024. I don't see the message that makes it happen.

That's the real challenge, and it's one worth talking about honestly — not as a partisan, but as someone paying attention to what the numbers are telling us.
I cover this kind of analysis each week in The Brief. If you're not subscribed yet, the free version goes out each week and it costs you nothing.

🎥 Full Weekly Update available on YouTube and Facebook.
📥 Subscribe to The Brief on Substack — substack.com/

I'm Eric Bland, nationally recognized trial attorney and Founding Partner of Bland Richter. Each week, I host the Anything But Bland Weekly Update and write a newsletter breaking down the biggest legal stories, political drama, true crime, and cultural flashpoints through a justice-first lens.

Disclaimer: Not legal advice.

Eric Bland – 105 W Main St, Ste D, Lexington, SC 29072 | Licensed South Carolina attorneys. This content is for informational purposes only.

05/30/2026

Jim Jordan told Americans struggling with gas prices: "That's life. Get over it." The President made clear he shares that view — he said directly that high gas prices don't concern him, and that affordability is not his priority right now.

When the people in power tell you, plainly and on the record, that your economic reality is not their problem — that's not a political opinion. That's a statement of priorities. And it deserves to be taken seriously.

What I find significant is that these aren't leaked comments or anonymous sources. These are public statements. They said it. The question is whether voters are listening. Subscribe to The Brief each week for the legal and political context behind the headlines.

🎥 Full Weekly Update available on YouTube and Facebook.
📥 Subscribe to The Brief on Substack — substack.com/

I'm Eric Bland, nationally recognized trial attorney and Founding Partner of Bland Richter. Each week, I host the Anything But Bland Weekly Update and write a newsletter breaking down the biggest legal stories, political drama, true crime, and cultural flashpoints through a justice-first lens.

Disclaimer: Not legal advice.

Eric Bland – 105 W Main St, Ste D, Lexington, SC 29072 | Licensed South Carolina attorneys. This content is for informational purposes only.

05/30/2026

Again, thank you so much for the well wishes that everyone has sent to us about Coco’s passing. We feel more at peace now that a few days have passed and that we have her back home and we can look at her every single day and say hello. We have her favorite toys that she always carrying around along with her so she can have fun. We got so many flowers and cards. People are so nice. Thanks so much. EB

05/28/2026

Welcome to the Anything But Bland Weekly Update, where nationally recognized trial attorney Eric Bland breaks down the biggest stories in law, crime, politics, and sports through a justice-first lens.

Each week, Eric analyzes the headlines everyone is talking about — from major criminal cases and political developments to legal controversies making national news. Drawing on more than 30 years of courtroom experience, Eric explains what the stories actually mean and what often gets overlooked in the coverage.

Eric is the founding partner of Bland Richter, LLP, a nationally respected litigation firm. Over the course of his career, Eric and his partner, Ronnie Richter, have recovered more than $235 million for their clients and played a pivotal role in several high-profile cases, including litigation connected to the Alex Murdaugh scandal. Visit blandrichter.com for more information.

In addition to his work in the courtroom, Eric is a frequent national legal commentator who has appeared on Dateline, 20/20, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Court TV, Netflix, and many other national platforms.

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• Political developments affecting the justice system
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05/28/2026

Only 13% of people who have been picked up and deported in this wave had serious criminal records. The rest — the overwhelming majority — are people who have lived here for years, sometimes decades, working, paying employment taxes, and reporting regularly to immigration authorities as required.

Now they're being held in converted warehouses. No running water. No air conditioning. And they're told it will be 18 months before their asylum case is even heard.

So here is the choice being presented: remain in a converted warehouse — often without running water or air conditioning — separated from your children, for up to 18 months while waiting for your case to be called. Or accept $1,000, self-deport, and be reunited with your family now.

I think it's important that people understand precisely what that choice looks like in practice, and what the law says about the conditions under which it is being offered.
I covered this in detail this week in The Brief.

🎥 Full Weekly Update available on YouTube and Facebook.
📥 Subscribe to The Brief on Substack — substack.com/

I'm Eric Bland, nationally recognized trial attorney and Founding Partner of Bland Richter. Each week, I host the Anything But Bland Weekly Update and write a newsletter breaking down the biggest legal stories, political drama, true crime, and cultural flashpoints through a justice-first lens.

Disclaimer: Not legal advice.
Eric Bland – 105 W Main St, Ste D, Lexington, SC 29072 | Licensed South Carolina attorneys. This content is for informational purposes only.

05/28/2026

Renee and I want to personally thank everyone who sent well wishes for Coco today and tonight. I am sad to report that we just received the phone call from the Neurologist that are sweet Coco passed away tonight. I am heartbroken and it will take time for me to heal. I feel terribly guilty that I was not there with her. I did tell her that I loved her this morning when Renee took her to the Specialty Clinic, but I never thought that I would not have the chance to say goodbye. Death steals that from us. Goodbye sweet princess. Thanks. EB