Todd Blanche nominated as US Attorney General by Trump

President Donald Trump formally nominated his former personal lawyer, Todd Blanche, to become the permanent head of the United States Department of Justice. Blanche has been serving as interim attorney general since the April dismissal of Pam Bondi and now seeks Senate confirmation.

The nomination comes amid intense scrutiny over Blanche’s actions while acting chief, including his support for a proposed $1.8 billion fund to compensate individuals who claim they were harmed by government investigations, and his handling of the release of files related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. Democrats have said they will use the confirmation hearings to question Blanche’s close ties to Trump and his involvement in politically sensitive matters. The outcome could affect the Justice Department’s direction ahead of the 2024 midterm elections.