Donald Trump hires 'aggressive but tactful' defense attorney Todd Blanche ahead of NYC arraignment
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Donald Trump has hired a top white-collar criminal defense lawyer and former federal prosecutor as part of his legal team on Monday, April 3 while the former president prepares for his Tuesday arraignment in New York City. Todd Blanche, a former partner at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, will represent the former president in the case filed by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
Blanche joins Trump's defense attorney Joe Tacopina and other lawyers working on his behalf. According to the source, Blanche will provide "additional firepower" to Trump's legal staff. Trump became the first former US president to be charged with a crime for allegedly paying a porn actress Stormy Daniels hush money before the 2016 presidential election.
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Who is Todd Blanche?
Todd Blanche has recently worked as a partner at the law firm Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, but his profile looked to have been removed from the firm's website as of Monday afternoon. He describes his most recent experience as a founding partner at Blanche Law on a LinkedIn page that is thought to belong to Blanche. The company was only established this month. His employment history at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, where he was employed from September 2017 to April 2023, is also included. Blanche received his doctor of law degree from Brooklyn Law School, where he finished with honors in 2003. He received his bachelor's from American University.
Blanche resigned from Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft in an email, saying, "I have been asked to represent Trump in the recently charged DA case, and after much thought/consideration, I have decided it is the best thing for me to do and an opportunity I should not pass up," as per Politico.
What are some of the cases Blanche has taken up?
Blanche has significant experience investigating all types of white-collar crime as an Assistant US Attorney for the Southern District of New York for the past nine years, as per GIR. Blanche, who has extensive expertise in white-collar defense cases, is also involved in other Trump-related matters. He previously defended Paul Manafort, a former Trump campaign chairman who was imprisoned for a variety of financial crimes. Blanche also defended Igor Fruman, a former Trump lawyer, and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani's associate. Fruman entered a guilty plea in a campaign finance lawsuit, as per Fox.
Who all are part of Trump's legal team for arraignment?
The new lawyer Blanche will join Susan R Necheles and Joseph Tacopina, who has been defending Trump throughout the Manhattan district attorney's office probe that resulted in an indictment that will likely be made public on Tuesday when the 2024 Republic presidential candidate is arraigned. When he appears in court, Trump is anticipated to enter a not-guilty plea. He has disputed any wrongdoing, as per New York Times.
Blanche, 48, is known as an "aggressive but tactful" advocate and has connections to Trump's legal staff. According to numerous individuals familiar with the situation, he is the representative of Boris Epshteyn, a senior adviser to Trump who is reported to have said that he believes Blanche is the best choice to represent the former president.
What is expected from Tuesday's arraignment?
Trump is charged with more than 30 counts of business fraud, but the indictment is still under seal. Trump took off from Florida soon after noon ET on Monday and arrived at LaGuardia Airport in New York around 3.30 p.m. ET. The former president will spend Monday night at Trump Tower and is expected to leave New York directly after Tuesday's arraignment to return to Florida, according to a source. However, even before Trump's arrival, his presence will be felt in the Manhattan courtroom on Tuesday, as all trials and most other court activity will be stopped before he arrives. Security for Trump's expected presence is being coordinated by the Secret Service, the New York Police Department, and court officers. The Secret Service will follow Trump to the district attorney's office, which is located in the same building as the courthouse, in the early afternoon, as CNN reported.
The investigators will book Trump, which involves taking his fingerprints. A mug shot would normally be made. However, sources familiar with the prep were unsure if a mugshot would be taken because Trump's appearance is well known and authorities were worried about improperly leaking the photo, which would be a breach of state law. After being arrested, defendants are usually booked and kept in cells close to the courtroom until they are arraigned. But that is not going to happen with Trump. After being processed, the former president will be taken through a back series of hallways and elevators to the floor where the courtroom is situated. He'll then proceed into the courtroom through a public hallway. Trump will probably not be handcuffed because he will be shielded from harm by armed federal officers.
Trump is anticipated to be brought into the courtroom, where the charges against him will be officially unveiled and the indictment will be released. The former president will most likely be released on his own recognizance following his arraignment. Conditions may be imposed on his travel, which is conceivable but unlikely. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office has not made a decision on whether cameras should be permitted in the courthouse. Trump's legal staff has argued against allowing them, citing security concerns.