Todd Blanche, a prestigious law firm partner, chose to represent Donald Trump, pursuing fame at the expense of his reputation. Despite the pending verdict, Blanche’s performance on Tuesday has raised concerns among legal experts. Criminal defense attorney Ty Cobb warns that Blanche risks losing his dignity and reputation by defending Trump, who is accused of falsifying business records to conceal a sex scandal. Cobb, a former White House counsel under Trump, likens the former president to a “mob boss” and believes Blanche may be tempted to cross ethical boundaries to avoid succumbing to “base desires.”
So far, Blanche appears to be following his client’s wishes, but his actions have raised concerns about his ethics. While there is no evidence of unethical behavior, experts warn that Blanche could face sanctions if Trump willfully violates any court orders. Following Tuesday’s contempt hearing, Judge Juan Merchan expressed his loss of credibility in Blanche, prompting criticism from other lawyers.
Conservative attorney George Conway criticized Blanche’s handling of the gag order, stating that “Trump’s lawyer got creamed” because Trump posted attacks on witnesses on Truth Social, violating court rules. Conway emphasized that Trump’s team “had nothing substantive to say” in his defense. Former New York prosecutor Charles Coleman explained that attorneys typically present a proposal to the judge in such situations, offering a compromise to save face. However, in this case, Blanche failed to do so, leaving the judge with no alternative but to hold Trump in contempt, though without imposing jail time.
Coleman criticized Blanche’s implausible defense, arguing that the former president’s repeated violations of the gag order indicate a lack of control over his client. Former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti also believes Trump is harming his own defense, stating that “when the judge tells your attorney that he has ‘lost all credibility in this courtroom,’ that’s really bad news for you.”
Even Trump appeared dissatisfied with Blanche’s performance, despite Blanche’s efforts to fulfill his client’s wishes. MSNBC anchor Joy Reid observed a tense dynamic between Trump and Blanche during the court session, indicating the former president’s displeasure. Attorney Tim Parlatore believes Trump desires to represent himself, as he is accustomed to being the center of attention. Parlatore suggests that Trump’s discomfort in court may be driving him to consider self-representation.
