President-elect Donald Trump has appointed his own criminal defense attorney, Todd Branch, as deputy attorney general.
“I am pleased to announce that Todd Blanche will serve as Deputy Attorney General in my administration. Todd is an outstanding lawyer and an important member of the Department of Justice who will fix a justice system that has been broken for far too long. President Trump announced in a news release Thursday night.
“Todd will do just as great a job as we did, making America great again,” he wrote.
Blanche represented Trump in his Manhattan criminal trial earlier this year and was the focus of daily press conferences, standing behind Trump while the 45th president lashed out at the incident to the media. Ta.
'Extraordinary circumstances': New York judge in Trump case suspends all court dates and sentencing
Former President Trump gives a short speech with his lawyer Todd Blanche after the conclusion of Trump's hush money trial at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City on May 30. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
President Trump was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records after taking office. manhattan criminal trial In May. Trump has pleaded not guilty to the incident, repeatedly calling it a “phony,” “fraud” and “witch hunt” staged by Democrats to hurt his chances for re-election on Nov. 5.
Manhattan judge Juan Marchan, who is overseeing the case, agreed earlier this week to extend all deadlines related to Trump's felony conviction proceedings. The ruling follows the Supreme Court's ruling in July that former presidents enjoy effective immunity from prosecution for official acts while in office, but not for unofficial acts. .
During Trump's lengthy trial, which lasted from mid-April to the end of May, Blanche defended Trump to the public both in court and at press conferences.
“President Trump is innocent. President Trump did not commit any crime. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office should never have brought this case,” Blanche said in her opening remarks at the trial.
Chinese hackers tried to compromise cell phone data of Trump and Harris campaigns
Attorney Todd Blanche listens to his client, former US President Donald Trump, during his hush money trial at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City on May 30, 2024. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
The Deputy Attorney General is the second most powerful position in the Department of Justice and is required to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Department. President Trump announces nomination of Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz to be attorney general, shocking Democrats and some Republicans in Washington, D.C.
No one has ever seen an incident like this before: Todd Branch
“Mr. Gates has been Mr. Trump's chief defender regarding Mr. Trump's attacks on democracy. He has also been a key defender of Mr. Trump regarding his attacks on democracy. He has also argued that law enforcement is aligned with conservative political priorities regarding the January 6th attempt to overthrow the government. We've publicly called for repeal if we don't comply,'' Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut, said of the choice.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) waves from the stage during the third day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 17, 2024. (Leon Neal/Getty Images)
Gaetz said earlier this week that it was an “honour” to serve in the Trump administration, and on Thursday he congratulated Trump on his nomination of Blanche as vice president.
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“We are building a great team in the Trump/Vance Administration's Department of Justice! Todd Blanche and Emile Bove are excellent litigators and have top-notch legal minds. I can't wait to work for you,'' Gates said. Posted on X.
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Last week, following Trump's landslide victory over Vice President Kamala Harris, reports emerged that the FBI had notified Blanche that Chinese hackers had compromised her phone and obtained voice recordings and text messages. Fox News Digital previously reported. Chinese hackers reportedly targeted individuals associated with Trump, Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, and Harris' campaign.
Fox News Digital's Brooke Singman contributed to this report.
