Trump nominates Todd Blanche for attorney-general

President Donald Trump said on June 3 that he would nominate Todd Blanche to serve as attorney general on a permanent basis, elevating the former criminal defense lawyer who represented him in criminal cases and has been serving as acting attorney general since April. Trump made the announcement at a White House dinner and said he would direct his team to begin the formal nomination process on June 4. ABC News, Politico and Reuters all reported the move, and Reuters said Trump described Blanche as a “very talented guy.” The choice puts one of Trump’s former personal lawyers in line to become the country’s top law enforcement official. The Washington Post reported on June 4 that Blanche would likely face a contentious confirmation fight, with some Republican lawmakers already showing hesitation. ### Who is Todd Blanche, and why is his nomination unusual? (abcnews.com) Todd Blanche is a former federal prosecutor who later joined Trump’s legal team and defended him in criminal proceedings. Reuters and ABC News identified him as Trump’s former personal or criminal defense lawyer, a background that has drawn attention because the attorney general oversees the Justice Department, which is expected to maintain distance from the president’s personal legal interests. (washingtonpost.com) Since April, Blanche has been serving as acting attorney general after the departure of Pam Bondi, according to Politico, ABC News and other outlets surfaced in search results on June 4. His acting tenure gave Trump a chance to test him in the job before moving to make the appointment permanent. ### How did Trump announce the move? June 3 was the first public signal that Trump planned to make Blanche permanent. (msn.com) ABC News reported that Trump made the announcement during a White House dinner, and a video shared by Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino showed Trump saying he would instruct aides to start the nomination process the next day. Reuters reported that Trump said he believed he would make Blanche the permanent attorney general and praised him publicly. (politico.com) The Baltimore Sun, citing Trump’s statement, also reported on June 3 that the president said he would nominate Blanche to serve as attorney general. ### What are critics saying about Blanche? Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a Rhode Island Democrat who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, criticized the choice in an interview aired June 4 on MS NOW. (abcnews.com) The segment was headlined “Deeply embarrassing nominee,” and Whitehouse said Trump was picking Blanche for the attorney general post. (msn.com) The criticism adds to scrutiny Blanche has already faced in Congress as acting attorney general. Politico noted that Blanche testified before a House Appropriations subcommittee on June 2, giving lawmakers an early public forum to question him before any formal Senate confirmation process begins. ### Why is the $21,000 New York fine part of the conversation? NOTUS reported on June 3 that New York officials rescinded a $21,000 workers’ compensation fine that had been imposed on Trump’s 2024 campaign committee. (msn.com) The outlet said the penalty had stemmed from a failure to respond to state notices, and that the matter was resolved after an incorrect address contributed to the dispute. (politico.com) The fine is separate from Blanche’s nomination, but it surfaced at the same time as another example of legal and administrative issues surrounding Trump’s political operation. NOTUS reported that both sides said the workers’ compensation matter is now fully resolved. ### What happens next in the Senate? The next formal step is Trump’s submission of Blanche’s nomination to the Senate. (notus.org) The Senate Judiciary Committee would then decide whether to hold a confirmation hearing and vote on whether to send the nomination to the full Senate. June 4 is the date Trump said he would begin the formal process, according to ABC News. (notus.org) If the White House sends the paperwork promptly, Judiciary Committee members including Whitehouse would be among the senators questioning Blanche in public before any floor vote. (abcnews.com) (washingtonpost.com)