Trump Nominates Todd Blanche as Permanent Attorney General Amid Controversy
President Donald Trump announced on June 3, 2026, his intention to nominate acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, his former personal lawyer, as permanent head of the Justice Department. Blanche, who replaced fired AG Pam Bondi, has faced bipartisan criticism over a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund for Trump allies, which he later abandoned. He also pursued indictments against Trump’s perceived enemies and defended January 6 pardons. The nomination requires Senate confirmation, with key Republican votes uncertain.
Cross-source coverage
Wire timeline
Todd Blanche Meets Senate Judiciary Chair Grassley Ahead of Attorney General Confirmation Push
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche began his Senate confirmation tour by meeting with Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) on Monday. Blanche was nominated by President Trump last week after serving as acting attorney general since April, when Trump fired Pamela Bondi. The meeting comes amid controversy over Blanche's creation of a $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponization' fund (now blocked by courts) that could benefit Trump allies, and allegations from California Gov. Gavin Newsom that the DOJ is investigating him due to his opposition to Trump. The Senate Judiciary Committee has a 12-10 partisan split, meaning one Republican could block the nomination. Blanche previously served as deputy attorney general, where he oversaw controversial actions including a second indictment against former FBI Director James Comey and an indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Roll CallBlanche makes Senate visit ahead of confirmation push
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche began his Senate confirmation tour by meeting with Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley on Monday. Blanche, nominated by President Trump to permanently lead the Justice Department, has served as acting AG since April after Trump fired Pamela Bondi. The meeting comes amid controversy over Blanche's actions, including establishing a blocked $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponization' fund that could benefit Trump allies, and allegations from California Governor Gavin Newsom that the DOJ is investigating him due to his opposition to Trump. Blanche previously served as deputy attorney general and has spearheaded controversial measures including indictments against former FBI Director James Comey and the Southern Poverty Law Center. The 12-10 partisan split on the Judiciary Committee means one Republican could block the nomination if they vote with Democrats.
Roll CallTrump Nominates Todd Blanche as Attorney General
President Donald Trump formally nominated Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to permanently lead the Department of Justice on Monday. Blanche, who previously served as the No. 2 official at the DOJ, has been acting head for the past two months following Trump's dismissal of former Attorney General Pam Bondi. Blanche is a former personal criminal defense attorney for Trump, marking a significant appointment of a close legal ally to the top law enforcement position. The nomination now moves to the Senate for confirmation.
Just In NewsActing AG Todd Blanche Says He Is Placing Roadblocks to Prevent Future Prosecution of Trump
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, currently struggling to secure Senate confirmation for the permanent DOJ leadership role, stated in a NewsNation interview that he is implementing 'roadblocks' to hinder future Democratic efforts to prosecute President Trump and his administration. Blanche cited what he called the Democrats' 'Project 2029' as a threat and argued that his actions are necessary to prevent political retribution. The article, published by The New Republic, frames this as an admission of obstructing accountability for Trump, his family, ICE agents, and other administration officials. Blanche made the remarks alongside FBI Director Kash Patel.
The New RepublicTodd Blanche Reveals He’s Making It Harder for Dems to Prosecute Trump
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, currently struggling to secure Senate confirmation for the permanent DOJ leadership role, admitted in a NewsNation interview that he is placing 'roadblocks' to prevent Democrats from prosecuting President Trump and his administration after Trump leaves office. Blanche cited what he called Democratic 'Project 2029'—alleged plans to prosecute Trump, officials, and ICE agents—as justification. He stated that exposing past 'weaponization' of the justice system and installing obstacles would prevent future political retribution. The article, published by The New Republic, criticizes Blanche, a former Trump lawyer, for openly obstructing accountability for the administration, including potential crimes by ICE agents. The report also notes Blanche's nomination faces opposition from some Republicans.
The New RepublicTrump Nominates Todd Blanche as Permanent Attorney General Amid Confirmation Battle
President Trump announced he will nominate acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, his former personal lawyer, to permanently lead the Justice Department. Blanche, who represented Trump in the New York hush money case, has faced bipartisan criticism over a controversial $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponization' fund established as part of a settlement in Trump's lawsuit against the IRS. After intense pressure, Blanche testified the administration was abandoning the fund. He also faced scrutiny over the DOJ's handling of the release of Jeffrey Epstein files, which initially exposed victims' names. Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, oppose the nomination, citing Blanche's loyalty to Trump over the Constitution. The GOP-led Senate confirmed Blanche as deputy attorney general in March 2025 on a party-line vote.
Government Executive - All ContentTrump Signals Nomination of Todd Blanche as Attorney General
President Trump announced on Wednesday evening during a White House dinner that he intends to nominate acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to officially serve as the nation's top prosecutor. Trump stated he would instruct Dan Scavino, director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office, and other aides to proceed with the nomination process. This move formalizes Blanche's role, which he has been filling on an acting basis. The announcement signals a key personnel decision in the Trump administration's legal leadership.
Just In NewsTrump Says He Will Nominate Todd Blanche as Permanent Attorney General
President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday evening that he intends to nominate acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to become the permanent head of the Justice Department. The announcement was made during a White House dinner, with Trump instructing deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino to begin the nomination process. Blanche has served as acting AG since former Attorney General Pam Bondi resigned in April. The nomination requires Senate confirmation, where Blanche recently faced questioning over the DOJ's decision to settle Trump's IRS case, including a now-defunct $1.776 billion 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' that drew bipartisan criticism. Blanche has defended the settlement and the pardons granted to January 6 rioters. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), who has been critical of Trump, could be a key deciding vote on the nomination.
Forbes - BusinessTrump says he will make former personal lawyer Todd Blanche permanent attorney general
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on June 3, 2026, that he intends to nominate his former personal lawyer Todd Blanche as permanent attorney general. Blanche currently serves as acting chief of the Justice Department after Trump fired Attorney General Pam Bondi amid scrutiny over her handling of Jeffrey Epstein investigative files. As acting attorney general, Blanche has pursued indictments against Trump's perceived enemies, including former FBI director James Comey. He also led a contentious plan to create a $1.8 billion compensation fund, criticized as a 'slush fund' for Trump's political allies, which was part of a settlement barring the IRS from investigating Trump for back tax claims. Blanche told Congress on June 2 that the fund would not move forward but Trump's IRS protection would remain. Trump announced the formal nomination would occur on June 4.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Mitch McConnell Condemns Trump's $1.8 Billion Fund for Political Allies as 'Utterly Stupid'
Former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell sharply criticized a nearly $1.8 billion fund approved by acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, calling it a 'slush fund to pay people who assault cops' and describing it as 'utterly stupid, morally wrong.' The fund is intended to compensate allies of President Donald Trump for alleged political prosecution. Blanche, a former Trump defense attorney elevated to acting AG after Pam Bondi was ousted, has taken several controversial steps including indicting former FBI Director James Comey. The move has agitated Republican lawmakers whose support Blanche would need for a permanent appointment. Critics argue Blanche has not shed his role as Trump's personal attorney and is prioritizing loyalty to the president over institutional norms.
Fortune | FORTUNE