Trump Appoints Former Lawyer Todd Blanche as Acting Attorney General

Blanche previously represented Trump in high-profile legal cases and now takes over the Department of Justice

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:03pm

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A cinematic painting of a solitary government building at night, with warm light spilling out from a few windows and reflecting in a puddle on the empty street below, creating a sense of isolation and uncertainty.The appointment of a former Trump lawyer to the top law enforcement position raises concerns about the independence of the Justice Department.NYC Today

President Donald Trump has appointed Todd Blanche as the new acting U.S. Attorney General, replacing Pam Bondi who was fired from the position. Blanche is a former partner at a major New York law firm who previously served as Trump's defense lawyer in several high-profile cases, including the Stormy Daniels hush money trial and a federal classified documents case.

Why it matters

Blanche's appointment as the nation's top law enforcement official raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the politicization of the Department of Justice, given his past role as Trump's personal lawyer. This move comes amid ongoing investigations and controversies surrounding the Trump administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case.

The details

Blanche, a 1996 graduate of Brooklyn Law School, left his position as a partner at the prestigious Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft law firm in New York City to join Trump's legal team in 2023. He served as the lead defense attorney in Trump's hush money trial involving Stormy Daniels, which resulted in the former president being convicted on 34 felony counts. Blanche also represented Trump in a 2024 federal classified documents case that was ultimately dismissed.

  • On April 2, 2026, President Trump announced that he had fired Pam Bondi from her position as U.S. Attorney General.
  • Blanche was immediately appointed as the acting Attorney General, taking over the Department of Justice.

The players

Todd Blanche

A former partner at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft law firm in New York City who previously served as Donald Trump's defense lawyer in several high-profile cases, including the Stormy Daniels hush money trial.

Pam Bondi

The former U.S. Attorney General who was fired by President Trump on April 2, 2026 amid ongoing controversies over the administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who appointed Todd Blanche as the new acting U.S. Attorney General after firing Pam Bondi from the position.

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What they’re saying

“Pam Bondi led this Department with strength and conviction, and I'm grateful for her leadership and friendship. Thank you to President Trump for the trust and the opportunity to serve as Acting Attorney General.”

— Todd Blanche, Acting U.S. Attorney General

What’s next

It remains to be seen how Blanche will lead the Department of Justice and whether his past ties to Trump will impact ongoing investigations and the public's trust in the nation's top law enforcement agency.

The takeaway

Blanche's appointment as acting Attorney General raises serious concerns about the politicization of the Department of Justice and potential conflicts of interest given his previous role as Trump's personal lawyer. This move further erodes the independence and credibility of the DOJ at a critical time for the country.