President-elect Donald Trump named his personal criminal defense attorney, Todd Blanche, 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 in the Department of Justice, fixing what has been a broken justice system for too long.” Trump announced in a press release Thursday night.
“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 while standing behind the 45th president as he criticized the case to the media.
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Former President Trump makes brief remarks alongside his attorney, Todd Blanche, after the conclusion of Trump's hush money trial in Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City on May 30. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Trump was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records after his Criminal trial in Manhattan In May. Trump has pleaded not guilty in the case, repeatedly calling it a “farce” and a “scam” and a “witch hunt” launched by Democrats to hurt his re-election chances before Nov. 5.
The Manhattan judge overseeing the case, Juan Merchán, agreed to grant a stay of all deadlines associated with Trump's felony sentencing process earlier this week. The decision comes after the Supreme Court ruled in July that former presidents have substantial immunity from prosecution for official acts in office, but not for unofficial acts.
In the midst of Trump's lengthy court trial, which stretched from mid-April to late May, Blanche defended Trump both in the courtroom and before the public during 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 remarks during the trial.
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Attorney Todd Blanche listens as his client, former US President Donald Trump, speaks as he arrives for his hush money trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 30, 2024 in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
The deputy attorney general is the second most powerful position in the Justice Department and involves overseeing the day-to-day transactions of the department. Trump announced Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz as his choice for attorney general, sending shock waves through Democrats and some Republicans in Washington, DC.
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“Gaetz has been Trump's leading defender when it comes to Trump's attack on democracy. His attempt to overthrow the government on January 6. And he has openly called for the abolition of law enforcement agencies if they are not align with conservative political priorities,” Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said of the choice.
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., waves onstage on the third day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 17, 2024, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Leon Neal/Getty Images)
Gaetz said he would be “honored” to serve in the Trump administration earlier this week and celebrated Trump's selection of Blanche as a congressman on Thursday.
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“We are building an incredible team at the Department of Justice in the Trump/Vance Administration! Todd Blanche and Emil Bove are brilliant litigators and top-notch legal minds. We are eager to get to work for the American people,” Gaetz posted on X .
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Last week, following Trump's massive victory over Vice President Kamala Harris, reports spread that the FBI allegedly notified Blanche that Chinese hackers breached her phone and obtained voice recordings and text messages, Fox News Digital previously reported. Chinese hackers had reportedly attacked Trump, Vice President-elect JD Vance, and people associated with the Harris campaign.
Fox News Digital's Brooke Singman contributed to this report.
