Trump is considering his lawyer Todd Blanche as deputy attorney general, sources say

president-elect Donald Trump is seriously considering appointing its lead attorney, Todd Blanche, as the next deputy attorney general, the second-highest position in the Justice Department, according to two people familiar with his thinking.

Blanche has represented Trump for the past eighteen months and defended him during his presidential elections criminal hush money trial in Manhattan earlier this year. He has become close to the president-elect during that time and is often seen with Trump in Palm Beach and when he travels. Because of his proximity and Trump’s confidence in him, it was widely expected within Trump’s inner circle that Blanche would likely follow him into the federal government if he won.

One person close to the case cautioned that no final decisions have been made.

If nominated, Blanche would need to be confirmed by the Senate before he can help lead the department that is one of Trump’s top priorities. On Wednesday, Trump announced that he would do so Selected Florida Representative Matt Gaetz as his pick for attorney general, which would likely set up a tough confirmation battle even in the Republican-held Senate.

During his first term, Trump selected Alabama senator. Jeff Sessions to lead the Justice Department, but their relationship quickly deteriorated due to special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. At the time, Trump relied on Sessions in appointing his deputy attorney general, Rod Rosenstein. Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller, later resigned after a turbulent period.

Trump is prioritizing loyalty in his selections this time.

Blanche is a former federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York who later worked as a partner at a prominent white-collar defense firm before leaving to represent Trump.

Recently, the FBI informed Blanche that his cell phone had been tapped by Chinese hackers as part of a massive operation targeting key Republicans and Democrats in American politics that has been going on for months. Hackers were able to obtain some voice recordings and text messages from his phone, but none of the information was related to Trump. CNN reported this earlier.

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