The U.S. Senate has confirmed Todd Blanche, a former defense attorney for Donald Trump, as Deputy Attorney General, a move that cements a close Trump ally in one of the Justice Department’s most powerful positions.
Blanche’s confirmation passed by a narrow 52-46 vote, with all Senate Democrats opposing the nomination. In his new role, he will oversee the nation’s 93 U.S. attorneys and key law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, DEA, ATF, and U.S. Marshals.
His appointment follows a turbulent period under Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, Blanche’s former law partner, who made waves by firing FBI officials and prosecutors tied to politically charged investigations—most notably Special Counsel Jack Smith’s cases against Trump and probes into the January 6 Capitol attack.
Bove also ordered the dismissal of corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a decision that prompted eight federal prosecutors to resign in protest. With Blanche now confirmed, Bove will stay on as his principal associate.
On her first day in office, Attorney General Pam Bondi directed Blanche’s office to create a “weaponization working group” to scrutinize the criminal cases brought against Trump, including charges related to classified documents and alleged election interference. Trump was also recently convicted in New York on 34 felony counts for falsifying business records linked to hush-money payments.
During his confirmation hearing, Blanche dodged questions about whether he would recuse himself from reviewing cases he previously worked on as Trump’s attorney, leaving open concerns about conflicts of interest as he assumes control of the Justice Department’s daily operations.
