In a move reinforcing his emphasis on loyalty, President Donald Trump has appointed Stanley Woodward—who previously represented multiple top Trump allies in criminal cases—to the influential position of associate attorney general. This makes Woodward the third-ranking official at the Justice Department, a department now stacked with attorneys who have directly defended Trump or his inner circle.
If confirmed, Woodward will oversee key divisions handling civil rights, antitrust enforcement, and environmental regulations, as well as defending the administration’s policies against legal challenges.
Woodward’s past legal work includes representing now-FBI Director Kash Patel amid special counsel investigations into Trump’s handling of classified documents and election interference. He also defended Trump’s former valet, Walt Nauta, in a classified documents case—charges that were later dropped following Trump’s return to office.
The Justice Department’s leadership now includes Attorney General Pam Bondi, who defended Trump during his first impeachment, and her top deputy, Todd Blanche, who represented Trump in multiple criminal trials before joining the administration.
Woodward was also part of the legal team for Peter Navarro, a former Trump adviser convicted of contempt of Congress, and he defended Connie Meggs, a member of the far-right Oath Keepers involved in the January 6 Capitol riot. Meggs was pardoned by Trump on his first day back in office, along with nearly all others charged in connection with the attack.
Trump’s latest Justice Department appointment signals his continued reliance on a tight circle of loyal legal defenders as he reshapes the department in his second term.
