Washington: The US Senate has confirmed Todd Blanche, President Donald Trump's criminal defense attorney, as the new deputy attorney general in a pivotal role overseeing critical federal law enforcement agencies.

According to Anadolu Agency, Blanche was confirmed by a 52-46 vote, which largely mirrored party lines. With his new position, Blanche, a former federal prosecutor turned defense lawyer, will manage the day-to-day operations at the US Justice Department. His responsibilities will include overseeing the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Blanche's confirmation has generated controversy, primarily due to his defense of Trump in multiple criminal cases. Notably, he was involved in a New York trial where Trump was convicted on charges of falsifying business records. Blanche and Trump's legal team criticized the case as a misuse of prosecutorial power.

During his Senate confirmation hearing, Blanche expressed his frustration regarding the legal challenges faced by his client. "That's power, and that's power that's corrupted," he stated, reflecting his stance on the investigations into Trump. He also voiced concerns about what he perceives as the unfair treatment of Trump by judges and prosecutors.

Blanche's transition from a defense lawyer in private practice to a top role in the Justice Department has raised ethical concerns among Democrats. However, he has downplayed these worries, asserting that while his "attorney-client relationship with President Trump remains," he will fulfill his ethical duties in his new role. He dismissed fears of facing moral or legal dilemmas, stating, "I don't think President Trump is going to ask me to do anything illegal or immoral. I say that with experience and firsthand knowledge."