Overview
- President Trump announced he would formally nominate acting Attorney General Todd Blanche during a White House dinner, a move shown in a video posted by aide Dan Scavino that sources reported Wednesday.
- Blanche, who became acting attorney general in early April after Pam Bondi’s ouster, previously served as Bondi’s deputy and was Trump’s personal lawyer during multiple criminal cases.
- As acting DOJ chief Blanche pushed high‑profile moves that aligned with the president, including an indictment of former FBI director James Comey and the appointment of Joseph diGenova to a probe.
- Blanche’s signature policy push — a proposed $1.776–$1.8 billion “anti‑weaponization” fund tied to an IRS settlement — drew bipartisan backlash, legal challenges, and was officially abandoned after congressional pressure.
- The nomination now heads to the Senate where Democrats oppose Blanche and some Republican senators have expressed hesitation, a contest that could shape DOJ norms, pending prosecutions, and the administration’s legislative agenda.