Following President Donald Trump's decision to remove Pam Bondi as Attorney General, attention has quickly turned to the man now stepping into the role on an acting basis: Todd Blanche. A longtime prosecutor turned high-profile defence attorney, Blanche has emerged as one of Trump's most trusted legal allies, and now one of the most powerful figures in the U.S. justice system.
Blanche, 51, currently serves as Deputy Attorney General, the second-highest position in the Department of Justice. In that role, he oversees major law enforcement agencies and helps direct federal prosecutions nationwide. After Bondi's removal, the deputy attorney general assumes the responsibilities of the attorney general when the position is vacant, placing Blanche temporarily at the helm of the department.
