Trump Lawyer Todd Blanche Elevated to Acting Attorney General

Blanche, who represented Trump in high-profile criminal cases, takes over as acting head of the Justice Department.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:23pm

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A serene, photorealistic painting of a government building or courthouse in a major city, with warm light streaming in through the windows and deep shadows casting across the facade, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and the weight of political power.The appointment of Trump's former lawyer as acting Attorney General raises questions about the Justice Department's independence.Manhattan Today

Todd Blanche, a lawyer who rose to prominence representing former President Donald Trump in several criminal cases, has been elevated by Trump to serve as the acting U.S. Attorney General. Blanche, a former federal prosecutor and law firm partner, led Trump's defense team in matters including his hush money case and a pair of federal cases brought by special counsel Jack Smith, both of which were ultimately abandoned.

Why it matters

Blanche's appointment as acting Attorney General comes at a critical time, as the Justice Department continues to navigate high-profile investigations and cases involving the former president. His close ties to Trump and his track record of successfully defending the president in court raise questions about the independence and impartiality of the Justice Department under his leadership.

The details

Blanche, 51, attended Brooklyn Law School at night while working as a paralegal at the U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan, and graduated cum laude. He served as a federal prosecutor for eight years, including two years as co-chief of the office's violent crimes unit. Blanche left the U.S. attorney's office in 2014 to join the law firm WilmerHale, and later Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, where he was a partner in the White Collar Defense and Investigations practice. In 2019, he successfully got a mortgage fraud case against him dismissed, arguing it amounted to double jeopardy. Blanche left Cadwalader in 2023 to represent Trump, and his performance in the hush money case and the two cases brought by special counsel Jack Smith led to his elevation to acting Attorney General.

  • Blanche represented Trump in criminal cases that consumed the four years between his first and second terms.
  • In September 2017, Blanche joined the law firm Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP.
  • In 2019, Blanche succeeded in getting a mortgage fraud case against him dismissed.
  • Blanche left Cadwalader in 2023 to represent Trump.
  • Blanche was appointed as acting U.S. Attorney General in April 2026.

The players

Todd Blanche

A former federal prosecutor and law firm partner who rose to prominence representing former President Donald Trump in several high-profile criminal cases, and has now been elevated by Trump to serve as the acting U.S. Attorney General.

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who appointed Blanche as acting Attorney General after firing the previous AG, Pam Bondi.

Pam Bondi

The previous Attorney General who was fired by Trump for reportedly failing to align with his vision.

Jack Smith

The special counsel who brought a pair of federal cases against Trump that were ultimately abandoned.

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What they’re saying

“The majority of the American people also agree that this case should not have been brought. The American voters got a chance to see and decide for themselves whether this was the kind of case that should've been brought, and they decided.”

— Todd Blanche, Lawyer

What’s next

It remains to be seen how Blanche will lead the Justice Department and whether his close ties to Trump will impact the department's independence and impartiality in ongoing investigations and cases.

The takeaway

Blanche's appointment as acting Attorney General raises concerns about the politicization of the Justice Department and its ability to maintain its integrity and independence under his leadership, given his history of successfully defending Trump in high-profile criminal cases.