Former President Donald Trump's legal team member faces a potential leadership role at the Department of Justice following an unexpected vacancy.
According to Daily Mail, Todd Blanche, who defended Trump in his New York hush-money criminal trial, has emerged as the frontrunner for U.S. Attorney General after Matt Gaetz's sudden withdrawal from consideration.
The 50-year-old attorney had already secured Trump's nomination as Deputy Attorney General, positioning him as second-in-command at the Justice Department. Trump praised Blanche's experience in prosecuting gangs and his loyalty during the Manhattan case, where Trump faced 34 counts of falsifying business records related to payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
Trump's recent Justice Department nominations include Emil Bove, another attorney from the hush money trial team, as principal associate deputy attorney general. John Sauer, who represented Trump in his Supreme Court immunity case, received the nomination for solicitor general.
The president-elect's selection of Blanche could face scrutiny from Senate Democrats, who traditionally expect the Justice Department to maintain independence from presidential influence. However, with Republicans securing a majority in January, confirmation prospects appear favorable.
Blanche's previous role as co-chief of the national security unit at the U.S. attorney's office for the Southern District of New York adds to his credentials. His appointment comes amid a broader reshuffling of Trump's potential cabinet.
Several state attorneys general have emerged as potential alternatives for the top Justice Department position. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, known for his conservative legal battles on immigration and election integrity, stands among the contenders.
Trump announced his initial choice of Matt Gaetz following other significant appointments, including former Democrat Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence and Fox News host Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary. Gaetz's withdrawal came after renewed allegations of misconduct and a deadlocked House Ethics Committee investigation.
Trump previously shared his endorsement of Blanche, stating:
I am pleased to announce that Todd Blanche will serve as Deputy Attorney General in my Administration. Todd is an excellent attorney who will be a crucial leader in the Justice Department, fixing what has been a broken System of Justice for far too long.
The selection process has drawn attention to several other potential candidates, including Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, an Army veteran with experience in state prosecution and government law. Former Trump administration Attorney General Bill Barr and Utah Senator Mike Lee have also been mentioned as possibilities.
The Justice Department transition occurs amid other significant cabinet announcements, including unconventional choices like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy as proposed co-heads of a new Department of Government Efficiency. Current confirmation processes for other nominees, particularly Pete Hegseth's Defense Secretary nomination, face their own challenges amid resurfaced allegations.
Todd Blanche's potential elevation from Deputy AG nominee to Attorney General frontrunner marks a significant shift in Trump's Justice Department planning. The transition follows Matt Gaetz's withdrawal amid controversy and reflects broader changes in Trump's proposed cabinet structure, with various state attorneys general and former officials under consideration for the top justice position.
The final selection will require Senate confirmation, with Republicans holding a majority advantage when the process begins in January. This development comes as Trump continues to shape his potential administration with a mix of loyal supporters and experienced legal professionals.
