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This is what it takes to become Trump’s attorney general

Who is acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, formerly Donald Trump’s personal lawyer?

It’s been a big week for the Trump Justice Department, beginning with the arraignment of an alleged would-be presidential assassin on Monday.

Just one day after charges were brought against Cole Tomas Allen, who prosecutors say attempted to assassinate President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, the DOJ pivoted to a new target: Former FBI Director James Comey, who is facing a second set of incredibly flimsy federal charges — this time, for allegedly threatening the president with a message written in seashells.

It’s a lot to keep track of, and overseeing it all is acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, formerly Trump’s personal lawyer. Blanche, the deputy attorney general, got the top job on a temporary basis after his boss, Attorney General Pam Bondi, was fired earlier in the month; now, he’s auditioning for the real thing.

James Comey gets indicted (again)

CNN’s chief legal affairs correspondent Paula Reid told Today, Explained co-host Noel King earlier this week that the job is Blanche’s to lose. She explains how he got here, how he’s doing so far, and how Trump administration insiders and the MAGA movement feel about him as a potential attorney general.

Below is an excerpt of their conversation, edited for length and clarity. There’s much more in the full episode, so listen to Today, Explained wherever you get podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Pandora, and Spotify.

Has [Blanche] done anything that has surprised you?

Todd Blanche has actually, I think, really met the moment perfectly, especially in the larger context of my reporting........

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