President Donald Trump has formally nominated Todd Blanche to serve as the next Attorney General of the United States, elevating the former personal attorney who has become one of the most influential figures in his administration.
The nomination, submitted to the Senate on Monday, follows Trump’s earlier pledge to place Blanche permanently at the helm of the Justice Department. Blanche has been serving as acting attorney general since April after taking over the role on an interim basis.
His nomination now heads to a Senate where Republicans hold a narrow majority, setting up what could become a significant test of Trump’s influence within his own party. While Republican lawmakers have largely backed the president’s agenda, recent months have seen signs of resistance on several key issues, meaning Blanche may need nearly every Republican vote to secure confirmation.
The White House’s decision to formally back Blanche comes despite controversy surrounding a proposed multibillion-dollar compensation fund for individuals whom Trump claims were harmed by government “weaponization.” The initiative sparked bipartisan criticism and was ultimately abandoned after lawmakers pushed back strongly. Several Republican senators made clear they would not support certain administration priorities until the proposal was withdrawn.
Among those expressing reservations has been North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, who previously questioned aspects of Blanche’s handling of the proposed fund and other politically sensitive investigations.
Even so, Blanche has remained a trusted figure within Trump’s inner circle. During his tenure as acting attorney general, he has overseen an aggressive legal strategy targeting individuals and organizations viewed by Trump allies as political adversaries. Those actions have reinforced support among the president’s supporters while intensifying criticism from opponents.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley welcomed the nomination, describing Blanche as committed to law enforcement and government transparency. Democrats, however, signaled immediate opposition. Senate Judiciary Committee ranking member Dick Durbin sharply criticized the selection, arguing that Blanche has aligned himself too closely with Trump’s political interests.
Blanche, 51, entered the national spotlight after representing Trump in multiple criminal cases following the former president’s departure from office. Before that, he built his career as a federal prosecutor in New York and had little involvement in partisan politics.
His rise through the administration accelerated after the dismissal of former Attorney General Pam Bondi earlier this year. Since then, Blanche has become one of the administration’s most visible legal figures, championing investigations tied to claims that Trump was unfairly targeted by previous government actions.
Supporters portray him as a seasoned prosecutor determined to reform the Justice Department and address what they view as past abuses. Critics counter that he has blurred the line between independent law enforcement and political loyalty, arguing that his decisions have reflected the interests of the president who once stood as his client.
The confirmation battle ahead is expected to focus heavily on that debate: whether Blanche is the right person to lead the nation’s top law enforcement agency—or whether his close relationship with Trump raises concerns about the department’s independence.
With the nomination now officially before the Senate, lawmakers will soon decide whether the former defense attorney will become the permanent face of the Justice Department.
