Trump Nominates Todd Blanche as Attorney General
President Trump announced Wednesday evening at a White House event that he will nominate Todd Blanche, the current acting attorney general and his former personal lawyer, to serve as permanent attorney general, replacing Pam Bondi who was fired in April.
Trump's Announcement
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he will nominate Todd Blanche to serve as attorney general, tapping his former personal lawyer who has aggressively pursued the Republican president's agenda while leading the Justice Department in an acting role. Trump said at a dinner at the White House that he plans to nominate Blanche formally on Thursday, according to a video of the event posted on social media by a White House aide.
Background on Blanche
Blanche, a former federal prosecutor in New York, was chosen to serve as the Acting Attorney General after President Trump fired Pam Bondi in April. Prior to serving as Acting Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General, Blanche served as President Trump's personal attorney in New York.
Blanche's Record as Acting AG
Blanche sought quickly to position himself as the favorite for the permanent job after Pam Bondi's firing in April, accelerating investigations into Trump foes and announcing a nearly $1.8 billion fund meant to compensate the president's allies for alleged political persecution. The fund faced significant criticism and was later abandoned after House Republican opposition.
Senate Confirmation Path
The nomination will need Senate confirmation. Trump announced the decision at a Rose Garden event Wednesday evening, with formal nomination instructions to follow on Thursday.