President Trump on Wednesday evening signaled that he intends to formally nominate acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to permanently serve as the nation’s top law enforcement official, setting the stage for a likely confirmation battle in the Senate.
During a White House dinner, Donald Trump indicated that he would direct senior aides, including White House Presidential Personnel Office Director Dan Scavino, to move forward with Blanche’s nomination on Thursday. The announcement effectively elevates Blanche from an acting role to Trump’s preferred long-term choice to lead the Justice Department.
Todd Blanche has served as acting attorney general for a little more than two months, stepping into the position after Trump dismissed former Attorney General Pam Bondi. Before assuming leadership of the Justice Department, Blanche previously served as deputy attorney general and was a key figure in Trump’s 2024 campaign, acting as one of his personal attorneys.
If formally nominated, Blanche would require confirmation by the U.S. Senate after an initial review by the Judiciary Committee, chaired by Chuck Grassley. Republicans currently hold a narrow 12–10 advantage on the committee, meaning the nomination could advance if party lines largely hold. The full Senate would then take up the nomination, where Blanche could only afford limited Republican defections to secure confirmation.
Since taking over leadership of the Justice Department, Blanche has overseen several high-profile and politically sensitive matters. Among them was the department’s second indictment of former FBI Director James Comey on allegations involving threats directed toward Trump. The move intensified already deep political divisions surrounding federal law enforcement actions and their perceived independence.
Blanche also introduced a controversial “anti-weaponization” initiative designed to create a fund for individuals who claim they were unfairly targeted by government investigations. The program quickly drew bipartisan criticism amid concerns that it could open the door to taxpayer-funded payouts for individuals involved in the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, including those convicted of assaulting law enforcement officers.
Following legal pushback, a federal judge in Virginia temporarily blocked the administration from disbursing any payments through the program, leading the Justice Department to pause its implementation. The court ruling added further uncertainty to one of Blanche’s earliest policy initiatives in his acting role.
The controversy surrounding the fund escalated during a tense meeting between Blanche and Senate Republicans in late May. Lawmakers from both parties raised concerns about the program’s scope and potential consequences. After the meeting, Senator Ted Cruz publicly described significant opposition within the Republican conference, noting that a substantial number of GOP senators had expressed sharp criticism of the proposal.
Blanche has also faced scrutiny over the Justice Department’s handling of records related to the investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Epstein Files Transparency Act required the release of related materials within 30 days of enactment, but delays and partial disclosures drew criticism from lawmakers across the political spectrum.
