Trump to nominate Todd Blanche as attorney general in Justice Department shakeup

President Donald Trump has announced that he intends to nominate Todd Blanche, his former personal attorney, as the next U.S. attorney general, signaling a major leadership shift at the Department of Justice.

The announcement was made during a dinner on Wednesday evening and later shared on social media by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino. According to video footage, Trump said he would direct his team to formally begin the nomination process on Thursday.

Blanche currently serves as acting attorney general after replacing Pam Bondi, following her departure from the role.

A close Trump ally moves into top DOJ role

Blanche previously worked as Trump’s personal defense attorney before joining the Department of Justice as deputy attorney general. His elevation to acting attorney general placed him at the center of several high-profile controversies involving the department.

Trump said he decided to appoint Blanche in an acting capacity first to evaluate his performance.

“I wanted to see how he’s received… and he’s done a very good job, but I’ve known him a long time,” Trump said in a pre-recorded interview aired Wednesday.

Controversy over DOJ “Anti-Weaponization Fund”

Blanche has recently faced scrutiny over a proposed Justice Department initiative known as the $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” which was designed to compensate individuals who claimed they were unfairly targeted under the Biden administration.

The proposal sparked political backlash from both lawmakers and legal observers, who questioned its purpose and structure.

Facing mounting pressure, Blanche told Congress earlier this week that the department would no longer move forward with the fund. The decision marked a reversal after weeks of defending the initiative.

Trump himself later appeared uncertain about its status, saying, “I’d have to ask the lawyers. I don’t know,” when asked about the program.

Political and legal tensions inside the Justice Department

The proposed fund had reportedly caused friction within Republican ranks, with some senators warning it could complicate legislative priorities and harm the party’s standing ahead of upcoming elections.

Blanche had previously suggested the fund could include settlements for individuals connected to the January 6 Capitol attack, including those convicted of assaulting law enforcement officers.

The controversy intensified scrutiny of the Justice Department’s direction under the Trump administration, particularly its handling of politically sensitive investigations.

Broader implications of the nomination

If confirmed, Blanche would become one of the most closely watched attorneys general in recent years, given his personal ties to Trump and his role in ongoing Justice Department controversies.

His tenure as acting attorney general has already included high-profile actions, including securing an indictment of former FBI Director James Comey in a case tied to a social media post that prosecutors described as threatening.

Critics have raised concerns about potential politicization of the Justice Department, while supporters argue Blanche brings legal experience and alignment with the administration’s priorities.

The nomination is expected to face significant attention as it moves through the confirmation process.