What Happened to Todd Wallace Blanche?

Todd Wallace Blanche, born August 6, 1974, in Denver, Colorado, began his legal career with a strong foundation in public service and private practice. After graduating from American University and Brooklyn Law School, he spent eight years as a federal prosecutor in the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, where he co-led the violent crimes division. In 2017, he transitioned to private practice, becoming a partner at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, where he represented high-profile individuals, including Paul Manafort and Igor Fruman.

Blanche's career took a significant turn in April 2023 when he was hired to defend former President Donald Trump in the New York County District Attorney's prosecution over concealed hush-money payments. He subsequently represented Trump in federal classified documents and election obstruction cases, leading Trump's defense in his criminal trial. This high-stakes representation placed him squarely in the national spotlight, often navigating complex legal and political landscapes.

Following Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 presidential election, Blanche's role shifted from defense attorney to a key figure within the new administration. In November 2024, Trump nominated him for Deputy Attorney General, a position he was confirmed for by the Senate in March 2025. His appointment was seen as fulfilling a campaign promise by Trump to bring in loyalists to the Department of Justice. A controversial move followed in May 2025 when Trump appointed Blanche as the acting Librarian of Congress after dismissing the incumbent, Carla Hayden; the legality of this appointment has been disputed.

The most recent developments in Blanche's career occurred in early 2026. On April 2, 2026, he became the acting United States Attorney General after President Trump fired Pam Bondi. In March 2026, Blanche made several notable public statements at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). He boasted that over 200 Justice Department and FBI employees involved in investigations against Trump had been removed from their positions since the start of the second Trump administration, fulfilling a promise to address the perceived 'weaponization' of justice. During the same conference, Blanche endorsed the deployment of ICE agents to polling sites for the 2026 midterms, stating, "Illegals can't vote. It doesn't make any sense," a stance that drew criticism for breaking with established DOJ policy. His comments at CPAC are now central to a class-action lawsuit filed by former FBI agents alleging illegal firings. Blanche's current status as acting Attorney General places him at the forefront of the nation's legal and political landscape, continuing to implement the Trump administration's agenda.