Senate confirmation records and announcements

Trump Names Lawyer Todd Blanche Deputy AG Under Gaetz; Picks Emil Bove for DOJ

Nov 14, 2024, 11:22 PM

President-elect Donald Trump has appointed his personal criminal defense attorney, Todd Blanche, as Deputy Attorney General under Attorney General Matt Gaetz. Blanche, a former federal prosecutor, has represented Trump in several criminal cases, including the hush money trial in New York. As Deputy Attorney General, Blanche will oversee the FBI, indicating he will have significant influence over federal law enforcement. Trump praised Blanche, stating, "Todd is an excellent attorney who will be a crucial leader in the Justice Department, fixing what has been a broken System of Justice for far too long." Trump also announced the appointment of Emil Bove, another of his attorneys and a former federal prosecutor known for his work against terrorists and drug traffickers, as Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General. Both positions require Senate confirmation. The appointments signal Trump's intent to reform the Justice Department, with his legal team taking prominent roles in its leadership. The selection of his personal defense attorneys for top Justice Department posts marks a significant shift in the department's direction.