Trump Nominates Todd Blanche for Attorney General, Setting Up Key Senate Confirmation Battle

U.S. President Donald Trump has officially nominated Todd Blanche to serve as the next U.S. attorney general, elevating his former personal lawyer to lead the Department of Justice. The nomination, submitted to the U.S. Senate on Monday, comes after Blanche has served as acting attorney general since April 2026.

The move highlights Trump’s confidence in Blanche, a longtime ally who previously represented him in several high-profile criminal cases. However, the nomination is expected to face intense scrutiny in the Senate, where Republicans hold a narrow 53-47 majority. Blanche will likely need strong support from nearly all Republican senators to secure confirmation.

Blanche’s nomination follows controversy surrounding a proposed $1.8 billion compensation fund intended for victims of what Trump described as government “weaponization.” The plan faced bipartisan opposition, with lawmakers criticizing both the proposal and Blanche’s role in advancing it. Republican senators ultimately pushed the Justice Department to abandon the initiative before approving funding tied to Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts.

Several Republican lawmakers have expressed concerns about Blanche’s leadership. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina has previously questioned his handling of the weaponization fund and the Justice Department’s criminal case involving former FBI Director James Comey.

Despite the criticism, Trump has praised Blanche for aggressively pursuing investigations and legal actions against individuals and organizations viewed as political opponents. During his tenure as acting attorney general, Blanche oversaw renewed legal actions involving Comey and approved charges against the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley endorsed the nomination, describing Blanche as committed to transparency and public safety. In contrast, the committee’s top Democrat, Senator Dick Durbin, sharply criticized the selection, accusing the Trump administration of undermining ethical standards within the federal government.

Blanche assumed leadership of the Justice Department after Trump dismissed former Attorney General Pam Bondi in April. Before joining the administration, Blanche worked as a federal prosecutor in New York and later became one of Trump’s most prominent legal defenders. His confirmation battle is expected to become a major political test of Trump’s influence over Senate Republicans in 2026.