President Donald Trump has formally nominated Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to fill the role permanently. Blanche has led the Department of Justice for the past two months since former Attorney General Pam Bondi was removed from the post.
Trump had signalled the move in advance, telling allies last week that he intended to make Blanche permanent attorney general. The formal nomination now sets up a confirmation process in the Senate.
Since taking over as acting AG, Blanche has overseen a series of high profile actions at the department. He brought indictments against civil rights groups including the Southern Poverty Law Center, accusing the organisation of funnelling money toward extremist groups.
Blanche also pursued a second case against former FBI Director James Comey, related to accusations of threats made against the president. The case adds to a string of legal actions targeting figures viewed as adversaries of the administration.
In addition, Blanche approved the creation of a nearly 1.8 billion dollar anti weaponization fund. That fund was established after the department settled a lawsuit brought by Trump seeking 10 billion dollars from the Internal Revenue Service over the leaking of his tax records.
Supporters within the administration have praised Blanche’s tenure, crediting him with reshaping the department’s priorities. Trump and his allies have repeatedly highlighted the indictments and settlements as evidence of Blanche’s effectiveness in the role.
However, Justice Department watchdog groups have been sharply critical of his approach. Stacey Young, who leads the DOJ alumni group Justice Connection, said Blanche has continued acting as Trump’s personal lawyer rather than an independent attorney general.
Young’s statement accused Blanche of entering into a corrupt arrangement with the president and his family, advancing politically motivated prosecutions, and removing career staff from their posts. She also accused him of targeting whistleblowers and attacking the judiciary.
Blanche’s nomination comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over the independence of federal law enforcement agencies. Critics argue recent actions at the department reflect a broader pattern of using DOJ resources against political opponents and watchdog organisations.
The Southern Poverty Law Center case in particular has drawn attention from civil liberties groups, who argue the indictment represents an attempt to silence an organisation that has long tracked extremist movements. The department has defended the case as based on financial evidence rather than political motivation.
If confirmed, Blanche would take over the role permanently after serving in an acting capacity since Bondi’s departure earlier this year. His confirmation hearing is expected to draw significant attention given the controversies surrounding his tenure so far.
For now, Blanche continues to run the department in an acting capacity while the nomination moves through the confirmation process. His record over the past two months is likely to feature heavily in the debate over his permanent appointment.
