{"id":2586652,"date":"2026-04-02T17:05:02","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T21:05:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/who-is-todd-blanche-pam-bondis-interim-replacement\/"},"modified":"2026-04-02T17:07:33","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T21:07:33","slug":"who-is-todd-blanche-pam-bondis-interim-replacement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/who-is-todd-blanche-pam-bondis-interim-replacement\/","title":{"rendered":"Who is Todd Blanche, Pam Bondi&#8217;s interim replacement?"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwho-is-todd-blanche-pam-bondis-interim-replacement%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2586652&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Todd Blanche has been named interim Acting Attorney General, set to lead the Department of Justice for up to 160 days while President Trump weighs a permanent replacement for Pam Bondi. Bondi\u2019s exit came amid reports of her possible termination, and Blanche-who has a long history with Trump-will temporarily helm the DOJ as Trump considers candidates such as Lee Zeldin for the permanent post.Blanche has served as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/attorney-lin-wood-defends-ag-bill-barr-after-announces-he-is-stepping-down-trump-voters-respond\/\" title=\"... Lin Wood Defends AG Bill Barr After Announces He Is Stepping Down \u2014 Trump Voters Respond\">deputy attorney general<\/a> as March 2025, after a career that included defending Trump in several high-profile cases, a tenure as an assistant U.S. attorney in SDNY (2006-2014), and later private practice.<\/p>\n<p>Under Bondi, Blanche helped push Trump\u2019s agenda on immigration and law enforcement, issued a memo prioritizing prosecutors along the southern border, and was involved in the department\u2019s handling of the Epstein files. he has publicly commented on issues at events such as CPAC, where he questioned why immigration enforcement officers at polling places faced backlash. Republicans praised Blanche\u2019s appointment, with Trump calling him a \u201cvery talented and respected Legal Mind,\u201d and Matt Gaetz lauding his courage and talent. Democrats welcomed Bondi\u2019s departure but where more cautious about Blanche\u2019s prospects for confirmation as a permanent attorney general. Legal scholars like Jonathan Turley suggested the transition could be smooth. Bondi will move to the private sector in the future, and Blanche issued a statement thanking her leadership as he takes on the acting role.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Who is Todd Blanche, the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >interim attorney general taking<\/a> over for Pam Bondi?<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2550662\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-justice\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"438\">Department of Justice<\/a> is undergoing a high-level leadership change, after President Donald Trump announced Deputy Attorney General <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/todd-blanche\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"20883\">Todd Blanche<\/a> would replace Attorney General <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pam-bondi\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11687\">Pam Bondi<\/a> on an interim basis.<\/p>\n<p>News reports of Bondi&rsquo;s possible termination circulated in the hours before the announcement made by President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a> on Thursday. He is reportedly considering Environmental Protection Agency Administrator <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/lee-zeldin\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"3116\">Lee Zeldin<\/a>, among others, to be the permanent replacement.<\/p>\n<p>In the meantime, Blanche will be leading the DOJ for up to 160 days, or until Trump chooses a permanent nominee. Here is everything to know about the interim replacement.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-history-as-trump-s-criminal-defense-attorney\">History as Trump&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/president-trump-please-pardon-jon-woods-a-victim-of-process-crimes-like-michael-flynn\/\" title=\"..., Please Pardon Jon Woods, a Victim of Process Crimes Like Michael Flynn\">criminal defense attorney<\/a><\/h2>\n<p>Before joining the ranks of the second Trump administration, Blanche represented Trump as a criminal defense attorney in several cases implicating the president between 2023 and 2024.<\/p>\n<p>The lawyer led the defense team in the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/new-york\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"61\">New York<\/a> trial, accusing Trump of giving pornographic actress Stormy Daniels hush money to keep her quiet regarding an alleged sexual encounter in 2006. Trump was convicted on all 34 felony charges for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/are-the-charges-brought-against-the-trump-organizations-cfo-part-of-a-witch-hunt-experts-weigh-in\/\" title=\"Are The Charges Brought Against The Trump Organization\u2019s CFO Part Of A Witch Hunt? Experts Weigh In\">falsifying business records<\/a> to conceal the payments. Ultimately, no penalty was given. Trump&rsquo;s legal team is appealing the conviction.<\/p>\n<p>Blanche also served Trump in federal prosecutions involving his handling of classified documents after his first term and his alleged role in overturning the 2020 election results. Both cases were dismissed.<\/p>\n<p>From 2006 to 2014, Blanche served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of New York. Afterward, he transitioned into practicing private law for almost a decade before meeting Trump.<\/p>\n<p>After the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/senate\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"8765\">Senate<\/a> confirmed him with a 52-46 vote, Blanche assumed office as deputy attorney general in March 2025. Given his record defending Trump in court, he may face a tougher time getting confirmed as the full-time attorney general if the president favors him over Zeldin or someone else to succeed Bondi.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-has-his-role-been-under-bondi\">What has his role been under Bondi?<\/h2>\n<p>In his previous position, Blanche implemented Trump&rsquo;s multifaceted agenda on illegal immigration, law enforcement, and deregulation in the cryptocurrency industry.<\/p>\n<p>Shortly after taking office, Blanche <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/dag\/media\/1393741\/dl?inline\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/dag\/media\/1393741\/dl?inline\">issued a memo<\/a> that prioritized the hiring of prosecutors in districts along the southern border. He also defended the federal prosecution of former FBI Director <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/james-comey\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"169\">James Comey<\/a>, one of Trump&rsquo;s political opponents.<\/p>\n<p>Blanche also helped Bondi lead the charge on handling the release of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/epstein-files\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"17582\">Epstein files<\/a>, which reportedly played a role in Bondi&rsquo;s ouster. Her deputy was the one who granted limited immunity to Jeffrey Epstein&rsquo;s primary accomplice, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ghislaine-maxwell\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"934\">Ghislaine Maxwell<\/a>, while interviewing her over two days in July 2025. The meeting preceded Maxwell&rsquo;s virtual deposition before Congress in February.<\/p>\n<p>While he hasn&rsquo;t been in the spotlight as much compared to Bondi, Blanche has spoken about certain issues at public events.<\/p>\n<p>The second-highest-ranking DOJ official appeared at the latest <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/cpac\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1638\">Conservative Political Action Conference<\/a>, where he openly pondered why possibly deploying <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ice\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ice\/\">Immigration and Customs Enforcement<\/a> officers to polling places this year was receiving so much backlash while other venues require identification.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Illegals can&rsquo;t vote,&rdquo; he told the CPAC audience last week. &ldquo;It doesn&rsquo;t make any sense. You all probably had to show your ID five times since you came into this place. It baffles me.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-republicans-praise-blanche-while-democrats-stay-mum\">Republicans praise Blanche while Democrats stay mum<\/h2>\n<p>Blanche received ample support from Republicans after he was tapped to temporarily replace Bondi, while Democrats are vocally glad she&rsquo;s leaving the department.<\/p>\n<p>Trump called the deputy a &ldquo;very talented and respected Legal Mind,&rdquo; and former Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/matt-gaetz\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1444\">Matt Gaetz<\/a>, who was once being considered as Trump&rsquo;s second<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-backed-doug-mastriano-wins-pa-gop-primary\/\" title=\"...backed Doug Mastriano wins Pa. GOP primary\">-term attorney general<\/a>, similarly complimented the experienced attorney as he moves in to the new role.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Todd Blanche left his comfortable job at a major firm to defend President Trump against horrendous lawfare,&rdquo; Gaetz <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/mattgaetz\/status\/2039771601424765139\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/mattgaetz\/status\/2039771601424765139\">posted on X<\/a> Wednesday afternoon. &ldquo;He has shown moral courage, strength and exquisite legal talent. Todd will do a great job for the Trump\/Vance Administration and us all.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Top congressional Democrats, such as Senate Minority Leader <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/chuck-schumer\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"384\">Chuck Schumer<\/a> (D-NY) and House Minority Leader <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/hakeem-jeffries\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"790\">Hakeem Jeffries<\/a> (D-NY), were ecstatic about the embattled attorney general&rsquo;s departure. The lawmakers, however, did not express their thoughts on Blanche assuming the role, although they are likely skeptical of him given his close work with Bondi.<\/p>\n<p>Law professor Jonathan Turley is optimistic that the transition between the two leaders will be smooth.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The move to Blanche will be seamless,&rdquo; Turley <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/JonathanTurley\/status\/2039761445416518016\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/JonathanTurley\/status\/2039761445416518016\">said on social media<\/a>. &ldquo;He has not only been serving with Bondi, but he is an experienced and distinguished lawyer. He has been a partner in a world-class law firm as well as a successful prosecutor in the leading U.S. Attorney&rsquo;s office in the SDNY.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4513647\/trump-fires-attorney-general-pam-bondi\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4513647\/trump-fires-attorney-general-pam-bondi\/\">TRUMP FIRES ATTORNEY GENERAL PAM BONDI<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Blanche wished his predecessor well as she moves into the private sector at a future date.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Pam Bondi led this Department with strength and conviction and I&rsquo;m grateful for her leadership and friendship,&rdquo; he <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/DAGToddBlanche\/status\/2039754858564124959\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/DAGToddBlanche\/status\/2039754858564124959\">wrote in a post<\/a>. &ldquo;Thank you to President Trump for the trust and the opportunity to serve as Acting Attorney General. We will continue backing the blue, enforcing the law, and doing everything in our power to keep America safe.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Todd Blanche: interim DOJ chief replacing Bondi<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2586653,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AP26092614127479.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[4930,43492,77054,45476,51594],"class_list":["post-2586652","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-attorney","tag-florida-politics","tag-interim-replacement","tag-pam-bondi","tag-todd-blanche"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AP26092614127479.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2586652","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2586652"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2586652\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2586656,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2586652\/revisions\/2586656"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2586653"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2586652"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2586652"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2586652"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}