Quick take
President Trump is reportedly planning to formally nominate Todd Blanche to be the permanent attorney general after having him serve in the role on an acting basis. Sources told CBS News the White House expects to make the move official soon — a decision the president even alluded to in recent public remarks.
Who is Todd Blanche?
Blanche moved into the top Justice Department job after Trump dismissed Attorney General Pam Bondi in April. Before that he was deputy attorney general, and earlier in his career he worked as one of Trump’s personal defense lawyers. Lawmakers approved him as deputy in a party-line Senate vote last year.
How the announcement unfolded
The president reportedly mentioned the forthcoming nomination during a private Rose Garden event and in a recent interview, signaling he has Blanche in mind as his pick. The Justice Department was contacted for comment, and the next formal step will be a Senate confirmation vote if the White House sends a nomination.
Flashy controversies on Blanche’s watch
Blanche has been squarely in the spotlight as the department has navigated several headline-grabbing and politically charged matters since he took over. One settlement that raised eyebrows would have created a roughly $1.776 billion fund aimed at people who claim they were wrongly targeted by government actions, a provision critics labeled controversial. After a court temporarily blocked that part of the agreement, Justice Department officials said they were not moving forward with implementing the fund, though other parts of the settlement — including a pledge not to audit certain past tax returns — appear to remain intact.
The Comey case
Also under Blanche’s tenure: charges announced in late April against former FBI Director James Comey tied to an online post alleged to be threatening. Those filings came after earlier, separate charges against Comey and others were dismissed by a judge who found problems with the prosecutor’s appointment. Blanche has pushed back against claims the recent charge was politically motivated, saying local prosecutors and agents led the matter.
What happens next
If Trump formally nominates Blanche, the Senate will decide whether to confirm him for the permanent role. Blanche already cleared the chamber for his deputy slot on a largely party-line vote, so the confirmation fight could mirror past divisions.
Bottom line
Expect more headlines. Whether you’re cheering, jeering, or just scrolling past with popcorn in hand, a permanent attorney general nomination means the Justice Department’s decisions will stay very much in the political spotlight — with Blanche squarely on stage.
