WASHINGTON – In a significant move, President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday his intention to appoint Todd Blanche as the next attorney general. Blanche, who previously served as Trump’s personal lawyer, has been advancing the president’s objectives as the acting head of the Justice Department.
During a White House dinner, Trump revealed his plans to officially nominate Blanche on Thursday. This announcement was shared through a video posted on social media by a White House aide, capturing the president’s remarks.
“We are going to make him permanent attorney general,” Trump declared during the event held in the Rose Garden.
After Pam Bondi’s dismissal in April, Blanche swiftly positioned himself as the top contender for the permanent role. He ramped up probes against Trump’s adversaries and introduced a controversial $1.8 billion fund intended to compensate Trump’s allies, claiming political victimization. The initiative sparked bipartisan controversy, leading to its abrupt cancellation by the Justice Department earlier this week.
Initially brought on as deputy attorney general, Blanche rose to prominence following Bondi’s removal, which was due to her unsuccessful attempts to prosecute Trump’s supposed political foes. Although Blanche claimed he wasn’t seeking the attorney general position, his bold actions since assuming the role have demonstrated his commitment to Trump.
Blanche’s approach has drawn criticism, particularly from Democrats, who accuse him of acting in Trump’s personal interests to execute a campaign of vengeance. The proposed $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” also stirred opposition from Senate Republicans, whose backing Blanche will need to secure confirmation as attorney general.
Blanche told lawmakers on Tuesday the Justice Department would not move forward with the plan after the political blowback stalled legislation to fund Trump’s immigration enforcement agencies.
While Blanche has maintained he feels no pressure from the president, the Justice Department under his watch has advanced its pursuits of longtime Trump foes.
Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted in April over a social media photo of seashells arranged on a beach that officials said constituted a threat the president. Comey, who has slammed the case as politically motivated, has said he wouldn’t be surprised if the Justice Department pursues additional indictments against him.
Blanche separately appointed Joseph diGenova, an 81-year-old former Justice Department prosecutor from the Reagan administration, to oversee a Florida-based investigation into whether former law enforcement and intelligence officials conspired over the last decade to undermine Trump.
A former federal prosecutor in New York, Blanche came to public prominence for his lead role on Trump’s defense team, including during the Republican’s hush money trial in New York. That perch afforded him, he has said, a firsthand look at what he contends was the weaponization of the criminal justice system against Trump.
