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Todd Blanche

The latest news and top stories on Todd Blanche, a prominent American lawyer. Known for his recent appointment as the 40th United States Deputy Attorney General in March 2025, he also served as acting Librarian of Congress from May 2025. He has a background as a federal prosecutor in New York’s Southern District, where he co-led the violent crimes unit, handling cases involving public corruption, fraud and racketeering. As a defence attorney, he notably represented Donald Trump in his 2024 criminal trial and other high-profile individuals. His expertise spans white-collar defence and government legal affairs.

United States

Todd Blanche grilled by US lawmakers over Epstein files, Trump tax immunity

The attorney general nominee was also questioned about the US$1.8 billion ‘slush fund’ to compensate the president’s allies.

16 Jul 2026 - 3:57AMvideocam

Donald Trump

Author of US ‘torture memos’ to advise team probing alleged anti-Trump conspiracy

30 Jun 2026 - 11:23AM

United States

Trump taps former personal lawyer as attorney general, teeing up Senate fight

9 Jun 2026 - 3:51PM

US-China relations

Nationals from China, India among 17 new US denaturalisation cases

Chinese-born Georgia resident among 17 people accused of obtaining citizenship through fraud or concealing serious crimes.

9 Jun 2026 - 5:57AMvideocam

US prosecutors say a Chinese-born resident of the American state of Georgia hid a prior deportation order and immigration history under a different identity before becoming a US citizen in 2006. Photo: Shutterstock

United States

US Senate passes US$70 billion ICE funding

The funding provided by the bill would help pay for Trump’s controversial migrant deportation crackdown over the next three years.

5 Jun 2026 - 7:59PM

China-Latin America relations

China says US ‘invented’ terrorism charges to justify Cuba blockade

Foreign ministry rebutted Marco Rubio’s claim that Cuba sponsors terrorism and demanded an end to US sanctions on the island.

5 Jun 2026 - 10:03AMvideocam

United States

Trump to nominate Todd Blanche as US attorney general

Blanche, 51, took over leadership of the Justice Department after Trump fired Pam Bondi in April.

4 Jun 2026 - 10:38PM

US Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche speaks to a reporter outside of the West Wing entrance at the White House last month. Photo: Reuters

Donald Trump

Trump team abandons US$1.8 billion ‘slush fund’ to compensate supporters

However, a deal that permanently bars the IRS from pursuing Trump, his family or companies for back tax claims remains in place.

3 Jun 2026 - 6:11AMvideocam

Sexual harassment and assault

Bondi refused to answer questions about Trump and Epstein files, Democrats say

She also pushed any blame for missteps with the release of files related to the late sex offender onto Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.

30 May 2026 - 2:52AM

United States

US Justice Department launches criminal probe into Trump accuser

Federal prosecutors investigate whether E. Jean Carroll committed perjury in her two civil lawsuits against Donald Trump.

28 May 2026 - 1:37PM

E. Jean Carroll in 2024. Donald Trump has denied all wrongdoing and is still in legal battles with the former columnist. Photo: AP

China-Latin America relations

As US pressures Cuba, Beijing holds talks with Havana on agriculture

Chinese support includes rice shipments and diplomatic backing as Trump administration ramps up sanctions and rhetoric.

28 May 2026 - 6:04AMvideocam

A view of Havana as tensions between Cuba and the United States continue to escalate. Photo: AP

Donald Trump

US Justice Department purges website of January 6 criminal cases news releases

The digital scrub is the latest step by the Trump administration to rewrite the history of the 2021 Capitol attack.

25 May 2026 - 10:23AM

China-Latin America relations

US charges Raul Castro as Trump administration ratchets up pressure on Cuba

Historic murder charges against 94-year-old former leader mark the first time Washington has criminally pursued a Castro brother.

21 May 2026 - 12:55PMvideocam

Donald Trump

US permanently drops tax claims against Trump in IRS lawsuit deal

The Internal Revenue Service will not pursue Trump, his family or companies for back taxes under a settlement agreement.

20 May 2026 - 2:55PM

Donald Trump

Ex-FBI director Comey charged with threatening Trump’s life in Instagram post

The charges relate to a post by James Comey last year showing sea shells spelling out the numbers ‘86 47’.

29 Apr 2026 - 2:47PM

Donald Trump

Washington dinner suspect charged with attempted assassination of Trump

Cole Tomas Allen faces a potential life sentence as he makes his first court appearance since Saturday’s shooting.

28 Apr 2026 - 4:51PMvideocam

Donald Trump

Washington shooting exposes gaps in security protocols for Trump

Officials say security perimeter around the president may need expanding after shooter targeted prominent media gala.

27 Apr 2026 - 2:32PM

Donald Trump

US Justice Department cites shooting as need for Trump’s ballroom

Trump’s DOJ gives preservationists Monday deadline to drop White House ballroom suit after shooting at hotel event.

27 Apr 2026 - 10:56AMvideocam

Artist renderings of the new White House East Wing and ballroom. Photo: AP

Donald Trump

Press dinner shooting casts fresh spotlight on Trump’s security

The attack suggests that even the most extensive personal security apparatus in the US has vulnerabilities.

27 Apr 2026 - 7:09AMvideocam

Pope Leo XIV

‘Right to life’: Pope Leo urges worldwide abolition of death penalty

The pope’s video message, marking the 2011 Illinois abolition of the penalty, came shortly after the US mentioned potential firing squads.

25 Apr 2026 - 11:51PMvideocam

United States

Trump Justice Department adds firing squads for federal executions

Electrocution and gas are also being added as methods, after the US president called for an expansion of the use of the death penalty.

25 Apr 2026 - 2:16AM

A firing squad chair (left) and an electric chair are seen in Columbia, South Carolina. The death penalty is normally carried out at the state level, but the federal government can also seek execution for certain crimes. Photo: South Carolina Department of Corrections via AP

United States

US reclassifies certain marijuana products as a less-dangerous drug

It is one of the most significant federal changes to marijuana policy in decades, removing barriers to ‌researching the drug’s potential use.

24 Apr 2026 - 12:51AM

The regulation of medical marijuana has come a long way in the US since California became the first state to adopt it in 1996. Photo: TNS

US-China relations

Trump-Xi summit worries, new fertiliser woes: 7 US-China relations reads

From soybeans and tariffs to Chinese-American plays, here are highlights from our US correspondents in early April 2026.

16 Apr 2026 - 10:00PM

United States

Bondi won’t appear before US lawmakers over Epstein files: Justice Department

The subpoena is no longer valid after Trump fired her as US attorney general, according to an official.

9 Apr 2026 - 5:39AM

United States

US Supreme Court clears path to overturn conviction of ex-Trump aide Bannon

Decision is expected to lead to the dismissal of Bannon’s criminal conviction for refusing to testify to Congress.

7 Apr 2026 - 12:16PM

Steve Bannon at New York Criminal Court in February 2025. Photo: Pool via Reuters

United States

Trump fires Pam Bondi as US president’s frustration with bad news grows

Attorney general’s removal follows the ouster of Trump’s homeland security and border patrol chiefs amid a wave of negative headlines.

3 Apr 2026 - 3:40PM

US Attorney General Pam Bondi and US President Donald Trump on Monday. Bondi was fired on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

United States

Minnesota sues for access to evidence in killings of Good and Pretti

Lawsuit alleges US federal authorities blocked state investigators from key evidence and information.

25 Mar 2026 - 9:27AM

Crime

US House panel subpoenas Pam Bondi in Epstein probe

US attorney general faces accusations that the Justice Department has concealed the names of Epstein associates in its release of documents.

18 Mar 2026 - 3:52AMvideocam

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