History of Todd Blanche in Timeline

Todd Wallace Blanche is an American attorney and former prosecutor. He has held several high-ranking government positions, including acting United States attorney general (since April 2026), United States deputy attorney general (since January 2025), and acting librarian of Congress (since May 2025), though the legality of the latter appointment is disputed.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

August 6, 1974: Todd Blanche Born

On August 6, 1974, Todd Wallace Blanche was born. He is an American attorney and former prosecutor.

Others born on this day/year

1987: Moved to Gainesville, Florida

In 1987, the Blanches moved to Gainesville, Florida, due to issues related to Richard Blanche's religious congregation.

1992: Attended Louisiana State University

In 1992, Todd Blanche attended Louisiana State University before transferring to Beloit College the following year.

1994: Graduated from American University

In 1994, Todd Blanche graduated from American University.

2003: Graduated cum laude from law school

In 2003, Todd Blanche graduated cum laude from law school after attending Brooklyn Law School at night.

2003: Graduated from Brooklyn Law School

In 2003, Todd Blanche graduated from Brooklyn Law School.

2006: Returned to US Attorney's Office

In 2006, Todd Blanche returned to the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York as an assistant United States attorney.

May 2017: Dismissal of James Comey

In May 2017, James Comey was dismissed by Trump. In July 2025, Bondi and Blanche defended Erik Siebert against claims that he had not done enough to investigate Comey.

2017: Joined Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft

In 2017, Todd Blanche joined Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft as a partner.

June 2019: Represented Paul Manafort

In June 2019, Todd Blanche began representing Paul Manafort after Manafort was indicted on state mortgage fraud charges in New York.

October 2020: Dismissal Affirmed by NY Supreme Court

In October 2020, the New York Supreme Court affirmed the dismissal of the state mortgage fraud charges against Paul Manafort, whom Todd Blanche represented.

February 2023: Requested to assist in lawyer search

In February 2023, Boris Epshteyn requested that Todd Blanche assist him in the search for lawyers to represent Donald Trump, who was set to be indicted in New York.

April 2023: Hired to Defend Trump

In April 2023, Todd Blanche was hired by Donald Trump to defend him in the New York County District Attorney's Office prosecution regarding hush-money payments to Stormy Daniels.

October 2024: Considered for potential nominations

In October 2024, documents indicated that Todd Blanche was being considered as potential nominees for deputy attorney general, White House counsel, and FBI director if Trump were to win the 2024 presidential election.

November 2024: Phone Hacked

In November 2024, it was reported that Todd Blanche's phone had been hacked by Chinese threat actors.

2024: Switched Party Affiliation

In 2024, Todd Blanche switched his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican.

February 12, 2025: Appeared before the Senate Committee

On February 12, 2025, Todd Blanche appeared before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary to defend Trump against allegations of prosecutorial impropriety.

March 2025: Confirmed as Deputy Attorney General

In March 2025, Todd Blanche was confirmed by the Senate as the United States deputy attorney general.

April 2025: Dismissed Erez Reuveni

In April 2025, Todd Blanche dismissed Erez Reuveni, the acting deputy director of the Office of Immigration Litigation, for conceding in court that Kilmar Abrego Garcia should not have been deported.

July 2025: Agreed to give leniency

In July 2025, Chris Kise appealed to Todd Blanche to give leniency to Wanda Vázquez Garced, and Blanche agreed, ordering prosecutors to strike a deal with Vázquez Garced's defense.

July 2025: Involvement in Epstein Files Controversy

In July 2025, criticism over the Department of Justice's handling of the Epstein files mounted, leading to disputes. Todd Blanche stated that he had signed off on the memorandum determining that "no further disclosure would be appropriate or warranted" in the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein alongside Dan Bongino and Kash Patel, insinuating they shared responsibility for closing the inquiry.

January 2026: Response to Renée Good and Alex Pretti killings

In January 2026, following the killing of Renée Good in Minneapolis, Blanche, who oversaw the Federal Bureau of Investigation, stated the bureau would ensure evidence was collected and preserved, but resisted a civil rights investigation. He also repeated Trump's claims of an "insurrection" and accused Minnesota's governor and Minneapolis's mayor of "terrorism." After Alex Pretti's killing that month, Blanche defended the agents involved but sought a tempered response to bystander video ambiguity.

March 2026: Comments at Conservative Political Action Conference

In March 2026, at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Blanche questioned the objections to deploying ICE officers to polling places for the 2026 midterm elections, despite federal law generally prohibiting armed federal law enforcement at polling places.

April 2, 2026: Appointment as Acting Attorney General

On April 2, 2026, Blanche became the acting attorney general after Trump fired Pam Bondi. Blanche's initial tenure involved intensifying investigations into Trump's political adversaries, including John O. Brennan, and approving investigations into Cassidy Hutchinson, ActBlue, and the Southern Poverty Law Center. Blanche signaled his desire to become Trump's nominee for attorney general.