On June 8, President Donald Trump nominated acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to serve as the permanent attorney general.
The White House submitted Blanche’s nomination to the Senate on Monday. Trump had previously indicated during a White House Rose Garden event that he intended to nominate Blanche for the position.
Blanche has served as acting attorney general since April, when Trump dismissed Pam Bondi from the post. Before that, he served as deputy attorney general. In that role, he oversaw the Justice Department’s criminal and national security work. His nomination now heads to the Senate. He will need majority support for confirmation. Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority in the chamber.
Blanche became one of Trump’s closest legal advisers during the president’s legal battles. He later returned to government service. He represented Trump in the New York criminal case that resulted in convictions on charges related to business records. He also defended him against federal cases involving the 2020 election and classified documents.
Earlier in his career, Blanche worked as a federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York. He later joined several prominent law firms, including Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft and WilmerHale.
During his time as deputy and acting attorney general, Blanche oversaw immigration enforcement efforts through the Justice Department. He also supervised the release of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Blanche has defended the department’s focus on violent crime, gang activity, drug offenses, immigration enforcement, and fraud investigations.
Blanche’s nomination is expected to face scrutiny during the confirmation process. Some lawmakers have questioned his close relationship with Trump. Others have raised concerns about his role in several controversial Justice Department actions since becoming acting attorney general.
Republican Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) has said he has not yet decided whether to support the nomination. He indicated that Blanche’s views on the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot will be an important factor in his decision.
The acting attorney general has also drawn bipartisan criticism over a proposed $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization fund.” The program was intended to compensate people who claimed they were victims of government persecution. The Justice Department later said it would not move forward with the fund. That decision came after legal challenges and opposition from lawmakers.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) endorsed the nomination. He called Blanche “well-qualified” and praised his commitment to transparency and law enforcement.
“I’ve worked well with Acting Attorney General Blanche for more than a year and appreciate his commitment to transparency and support for law enforcement,” Grassley said. “Blanche is well-qualified and has shown his dedication to restoring law and order across our country.”
Democrats quickly voiced opposition. Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) argued that Blanche had not separated his role as Trump’s former defense attorney from his responsibilities as a public official. He urged senators to reject the nomination.
If confirmed, Blanche would become Trump’s third attorney general nominee of his second term. Trump initially selected former Rep. Matt Gaetz for the position. Gaetz later withdrew amid an ethics investigation. Bondi then took the job before being removed in April.