Trump Rewards Legal Team, Names Todd Blanche as Deputy Attorney General
WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump has selected attorney Todd Blanche, a prominent figure on his legal defense team, as the new Deputy Attorney General, the second-highest position in the Justice Department. Blanche, a former federal prosecutor, played a critical role in defending Trump in both his hush money trial in New York and the federal cases led by Special Counsel Jack Smith.
“Todd is an outstanding attorney who will help restore integrity to a justice system that has been broken for far too long,” Trump announced in a statement on Thursday.
If confirmed by the Republican-led Senate, Blanche will oversee the Justice Department’s day-to-day operations, a responsibility that aligns with Trump’s plans to overhaul the department.
Key Appointments: Gaetz and Sauer Join DOJ Team
Blanche’s appointment comes shortly after Trump named Florida Representative Matt Gaetz, a close ally, as Attorney General. Gaetz previously faced a Justice Department investigation for sex trafficking, which ended without charges. Trump has also appointed another member of his legal team, D. John Sauer, as Solicitor General. Sauer, formerly Missouri’s Solicitor General, represented Trump’s defense in his presidential immunity case before the U.S. Supreme Court and clerked for the late Justice Antonin Scalia.
Blanche’s Defense Record with Trump
Blanche has represented Trump in several high-profile cases, including the 2020 election interference case in Washington and the classified documents case involving Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. His team successfully delayed both cases, with U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissing the classified documents case last summer after ruling that Attorney General Merrick Garland’s appointment of Jack Smith was unlawful. The 2020 election case also faced delays as Trump’s claims of presidential immunity were argued up to the Supreme Court.
Justice Department Policy and Potential Case Closures
With Trump’s incoming presidency, the Justice Department is now considering how to close both prosecutions in alignment with a policy preventing the indictment or prosecution of sitting presidents.
Additional Legal Successes and Manafort Case
Blanche has previously represented Trump’s former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, successfully arguing for the dismissal of a mortgage fraud case brought by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. He contended that the case amounted to double jeopardy due to its similarity to previous federal charges against Manafort.
Blanche joined Trump’s legal team shortly before his April 2023 arraignment in New York, where Trump was accused of attempting to influence the 2016 election through hush money payments. Although Trump was convicted of 34 felony counts, his attorneys are actively seeking to overturn the verdict.
This reshaped DOJ leadership represents Trump’s latest steps in aligning his administration’s legal strategy and reshaping the Justice Department to his vision.
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