Blanche will oversee daily operations of the department while working directly under Attorney General Pam Bondi.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Republican-led Senate voted Wednesday to confirm Todd Blanche as deputy attorney general, placing President Donald Trump’s former criminal defense attorney in a key Justice Department post at a time of turmoil in the agency.

Mr. Blanche has served as President Trump’s personal criminal defense attorney since 2023. Although Durbin observed that nothing suggests that Mr. Blanche was unethical or unprofessional in this capacity,

The U.S. Senate confirmed Todd Blanche, former criminal defense attorney for Donald Trump, as Deputy Attorney General in a 52-46 vote, with all Democrats opposing. Blanche will oversee 93 U.S. Attorneys,

Democrats have long argued that Blanche is yet another example of a key Justice Department nominee whose loyalty lies primarily with President Donald Trump rather than to the Constitution or the justice system.

The Republican-controlled U.S. Senate on Wednesday confirmed President Donald Trump's former criminal defense attorney Todd Blanche to serve as Deputy Attorney General, the No. 2 role at the Justice Department.

The US Senate confirmed Todd Blanche, Trump's former personal lawyer, to be deputy attorney general, the second-highest ranking job in the Justice Department.

Todd Blanche, President Donald Trump’s former criminal defense attorney, was confirmed as second-in-command at the Justice Department.