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US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday his intention to formally nominate his former personal lawyer, Todd Blanche, as the permanent Attorney General.
Blanche currently serves as acting chief of the Justice Department, following Trump’s dismissal of Attorney General Pam Bondi. Bondi had faced scrutiny over her handling of the release of investigative files concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Blanche, previously the department’s number two, has overseen several indictments targeting Trump’s perceived political opponents, including former FBI director James Comey.
“Tomorrow, I’m instructing that we are going to make him permanent attorney general,” Trump said at a White House dinner, a statement captured on video by White House deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino.
During his tenure as acting chief, Blanche directed the Justice Department through the controversial proposal of a $1.8 billion compensation fund, part of a settlement from a lawsuit Trump filed against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Critics labelled the fund a “slush fund” for Trump’s allies. An addendum to the settlement also barred the IRS from investigating Trump for potential back taxes.
Blanche testified before Congress on Tuesday that the compensation fund would not proceed, though Trump’s IRS protections would remain in effect.
The decision to nominate Blanche permanently comes amid ongoing debates over the Justice Department’s independence and the administration’s approach to accountability and political influence.
Observers note that Blanche’s nomination could consolidate Trump’s influence over legal proceedings involving his associates and adversaries alike, marking a significant shift in the department’s leadership trajectory.
