President-elect Donald Trump has nominated his personal criminal defense attorney, Todd Blanche, to serve as deputy attorney general.
“I am pleased to announce that Todd Blanche will serve as Deputy Attorney General in my administration. Todd is an excellent lawyer who will be a crucial leader within the Department of Justice, repairing what has been a long-standing broken justice system. too long.” Trump announced this in a press release Thursday evening.
“Todd is going to do a great job making America great again,” he wrote.
Blanche represented Trump during his criminal case in Manhattan earlier this year, becoming a focal point of Trump’s daily press conferences, as he stood behind the 45th president as he denounced the case to the media.
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Former President Trump delivers brief remarks alongside his attorney, Todd Blanche, following the conclusion of Trump’s secret trial in Manhattan Criminal Court in New York on May 30. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Trump was convicted of 34 counts of falsifying business records following his Manhattan Criminal Trial in May. Trump has pleaded not guilty in the case, repeatedly calling it a “sham,” a “scam” and a “witch hunt” launched by Democrats to harm his re-election chances before November 5.
The Manhattan judge overseeing the case, Juan Merchan, agreed to grant a stay of all deadlines associated with Trump’s felony conviction proceedings earlier this week. The move follows the Supreme Court’s July ruling that former presidents have substantial immunity from prosecution for official acts performed in the line of duty, but not for unofficial acts.
During Trump’s lengthy trial, which spanned from mid-April to late May, Blanche defended Trump both in the courtroom and in front of the public at press conferences.
“President Trump is innocent. President Trump committed no crime. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office should never have brought this case,” Blanche said in her opening speech at the trial.
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Attorney Todd Blanche listens to his client, former U.S. President Donald Trump, speak as he arrives for his secret trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 30, 2024 in New York. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
The deputy attorney general is the second most powerful position within the Department of Justice and involves overseeing the department’s day-to-day dealings. Trump announced that Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz would be his attorney general, sending shockwaves among Democrats and some Republicans in Washington, DC.
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“Gaetz has been Trump’s leading defender when it comes to Trump’s assault on democracy. His attempt to overthrow the government on January 6. And he has openly called for the removal of law enforcement if they don’t align with conservative policy priorities,” Sen. Chris Murphy, Democrat of Connecticut, said of the choice.
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., greets on stage on the third day of the Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum July 17, 2024, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Leon Neal/Getty Images)
Gaetz said it would be an “honor” to serve in the Trump administration earlier this week, and celebrated Trump’s choice of Blanche as congresswoman on Thursday.
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“We are building an incredible team at the Trump/Vance Administration’s Department of Justice! Todd Blanche and Emil Bove are brilliant trial lawyers and top legal scholars. We can’t wait to get to work for the American people,” Gaetz said. posted on X.
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Last week, after Trump’s landslide victory over Vice President Kamala Harris, reports spread that the FBI had informed Blanche that Chinese hackers had hacked into her phone and obtained voice recordings and text messages, previously reported Fox News Digital. Chinese hackers reportedly targeted Trump, Vice President-elect JD Vance and individuals linked to the Harris campaign.
Brooke Singman of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
