Deputy attorney general who defended Trump in hush money trial named acting Librarian of Congress

By HILLEL ITALIE AP National Writer NEW YORK AP Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche who represented Donald Trump during his criminal trial has been appointed acting Librarian of Congress the Justice Department stated Monday Blanche replaces longtime librarian Carla Hayden whom the White House fired last week amid criticism from particular conservatives that she was advancing a woke agenda She was nominated by Democratic President Barack Obama in FILE Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden arrives on the red carpet for the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song honoring Elton John and Bernie Taupin at DAR Constitution Hall March in Washington AP Photo Kevin Wolf File Blanche was named the number two Justice Department official after serving as a criminal defense attorney defending Trump against two cases brought by the Justice Department during the Biden administration Blanche is a former federal prosecutor who was a key figure on Trump s defense organization in his New York hush money trial which ended in a conviction on felony counts Associated Press writers Seung Min Kim Alanna Durkin Richer and Eric Tucker in Washington contributed to this review Related Articles House Republicans unveil Medicaid cuts that Democrats warn will leave millions without care Trump s reshaping of higher tuition tests America s appeal for international students Trump signs executive order setting -day deadline for drugmakers to lower prescription drug costs Hamas says it circulated American-Israeli hostage in goodwill gesture toward Trump administration Trump promises to order that the US pay only the price other nations do for particular drugs