Trump to nominate Todd Blanche to be attorney general
Trump said he will nominate acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to become the permanent top prosecutor.
Intelligence analysis by GPT-5.4 Mini
Trump plans to elevate Todd Blanche, his acting attorney general and former personal lawyer, to lead the Justice Department permanently. The move would cement a loyal ally at the top of the department after a stretch of aggressive action against Trump foes.
Trump wants his current lawyer-like helper, Todd Blanche, to keep the top justice job for real. It is like putting a trusted team captain in charge of the referee rulebook, which makes some people worry the game may not feel fair.
Analysis
What happened
President Donald Trump said at a private White House event on Wednesday evening that he would nominate Todd Blanche, currently the acting attorney general, to serve as the country's permanent top prosecutor. Dan Scavino later posted video of Trump making the announcement in the Rose Garden.
Who Blanche is
Blanche is not a new figure in Trumpworld. He first entered the administration after serving as Trump's personal attorney, including in Trump's New York hush money case. He also previously served as deputy attorney general and was confirmed to that post last year by a 52-46 Senate vote.
Why the nomination stands out
Since taking over as acting attorney general in early April after Trump fired Pam Bondi, Blanche has moved in ways that fit Trump's political priorities. NBC News says he has taken steps that include trying to prosecute Trump enemies and creating a compensation fund for Trump allies. Under his leadership, the Justice Department secured an indictment of former FBI Director James Comey over a seashell photo the administration says threatened Trump's life. Comey has denied that interpretation.
The article also notes that the department previously pursued a case against Comey based on claims that he lied to Congress, but a federal judge dismissed it in November. That judge also threw out a case involving New York Attorney General Letitia James, saying the prosecutor had been unlawfully appointed.
What happens next
The nomination now goes to the Senate. The story suggests Blanche is likely to face scrutiny because of his close ties to Trump and the department's recent pursuit of the president's perceived enemies. The White House has also stepped back from a proposed $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund after bipartisan criticism, and Blanche told lawmakers Tuesday that it would not move forward.
Key points
- Trump said he will nominate Todd Blanche as permanent attorney general.
- Blanche has been acting attorney general since early April, after Pam Bondi was fired.
- NBC News says Blanche has moved to prosecute Trump enemies and back off an anti-weaponization fund.
- The Justice Department under Blanche secured an indictment of James Comey.
- The nomination now goes to the Senate, where Blanche was previously confirmed as deputy attorney general.
If Blanche is confirmed, the administration would have a permanent Justice Department leader in place, which could bring clearer direction than an acting setup. Supporters may see it as putting a trusted, experienced prosecutor in charge of a large and complex department.
The nomination could deepen concerns that the Justice Department is being used to reward loyalty and target political enemies. Blanche's close ties to Trump and the department's recent prosecutions may also make Senate confirmation contentious.
