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Jimmy Williams
President-elect Donald Trump announced Thursday the nomination of three attorneys who defended him in high-profile criminal cases to top roles within the Department of Justice. The move underscores Trump’s commitment to reshaping the DOJ and its leadership as he prepares to take office in January.
Todd Blanche, who represented Trump in federal criminal cases, has been tapped for deputy attorney general, the department’s second-highest position. Emil Bove, also part of Trump’s defense team, will serve as acting deputy attorney general while Blanche undergoes Senate confirmation and will later assume the role of principal associate deputy attorney general.
Trump also named D. John Sauer as his pick for solicitor general, the DOJ official responsible for representing the federal government before the Supreme Court.
“These appointments are crucial to fixing what has been a broken system of justice for far too long,” Trump said in a statement. He praised Blanche as “an excellent attorney” and called Bove “tough and strong.”
High Stakes for Senate Republicans
Blanche and Bove defended Trump in two federal criminal cases brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith—one concerning efforts to overturn the 2020 election and another regarding classified documents found at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. Both cases have been paused, with dismissals expected under DOJ policies that shield sitting presidents from prosecution.
Blanche and Bove were also part of Trump’s defense team in a New York state case where he was convicted of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to his 2016 campaign. Trump’s legal team is now working to overturn that conviction, citing a Supreme Court ruling earlier this year that grants presidents immunity from most criminal charges for official acts.
Sauer, Trump’s pick for solicitor general, successfully argued that case before the Supreme Court. During oral arguments, Sauer contended that the threat of criminal prosecution could paralyze a sitting president. “Other checks on presidential power, including impeachment, are sufficient to prevent abuse,” Sauer argued.
A Signal of Trump’s DOJ Vision
The selections have raised questions about how Trump intends to lead the Justice Department. Critics have expressed concerns that these appointments could blur the line between the DOJ and Trump’s personal legal defense.
Senate Republicans, who will hold a 53-47 majority, will be tasked with vetting and confirming these nominees. Some members, including incoming Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), have signaled they intend to scrutinize Trump’s choices carefully.
“These appointments are unprecedented,” one Senate staffer told NBC News. “It’s clear Trump wants to remake the DOJ in his own image, and the Senate has a duty to carefully evaluate the implications.”
Jay Clayton to Lead Manhattan Prosecution
In a related move, Trump announced that Jay Clayton, former chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, would serve as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. The position is critical as it oversees cases in Manhattan, a hub for financial crimes and some of Trump’s most contentious legal battles.
Trump’s announcement follows his selection of former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) for attorney general, another figure who has been critical of the DOJ’s previous investigations into Trump.
As Trump prepares to take office, his reshaping of the Justice Department signals an aggressive approach to addressing what he has repeatedly described as the “weaponization” of federal law enforcement against him. Senate hearings on these nominations are expected to be contentious.
