Trump hires top defense attorney Todd Blanche

Former President Donald Trump has hired top New York City defense attorney Todd Blanche to represent him in his indictment by Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg on 34 criminal counts, according to Politico.

Erica Orden reported that Blanche has decided to resign from elite law firm Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, where he is a partner, to represent Trump.

“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,” an email from Blanche reportedly said.

“Obviously, doing this as a partner at Cadwalader was not an option, so I have had to make the difficult choice to leave the firm,” the email added.

Blanche was a former Manhattan assistant district attorney and had successfully represented Trump associate Paul Manafort against mortgage fraud and other charges, although Manafort was convicted on some charges and later pardoned by Trump.

Bragg has a difficult case to prove, and Blanche's involvement will only make it even harder.