President Trump suggested Wednesday that acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is likely to be elevated to the position on a permanent basis, though he offered no specific timeline for a formal nomination. Speaking on his podcast Pod Force One, Trump said, “He’s a very talented guy. Todd’s doing a very good job at DOJ.” When pressed on whether Blanche would become the permanent attorney general, Trump replied, “I think he will.”
Blanche has been leading the Justice Department since Trump fired former Attorney General Pam Bondi in April. He previously served as deputy attorney general before being tapped as acting head of the department. His tenure has been marked by a series of aggressive legal moves, including indictments against the Southern Poverty Law Center, former Cuban President Raul Castro, and a second case against ex-FBI Director James Comey—this time accusing Comey of threatening Trump’s life by sharing a photo of seashells on a beach with the caption “86-47.”
Blanche also oversaw the creation of a $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization” fund, established after settling a lawsuit with Trump that sought $10 billion from the IRS over the leak of his tax records. However, following bipartisan backlash during a congressional appearance Tuesday, Blanche announced the department would “not be moving forward” with the fund. He did not, however, withdraw a memo barring prosecutors and the IRS from reviewing Trump’s tax returns or those of his family and businesses. Prior reporting from The New York Times and ProPublica has indicated Trump could face a $100 million tax liability from ongoing audits of his past returns.
The acting attorney general’s decisions have drawn scrutiny from both sides of the aisle, particularly regarding the controversial fund and the memo shielding Trump’s tax records. Blanche’s reversal on the anti-weaponization fund cleared the way for a $72 billion GOP package, but critics argue the move was a concession to political pressure rather than a principled stand.
Trump’s comments come amid a broader reshuffling of his administration, with the president also floating a potential Vance-Rubio ticket for the 2028 election and signaling a push for fast action on infrastructure. The lack of a clear timeline for Blanche’s nomination leaves the Justice Department in a state of uncertainty, as the acting attorney general continues to wield significant power without Senate confirmation.
Blanche’s tenure has already reshaped the department’s priorities, focusing on high-profile political targets and legal battles that align with Trump’s grievances. His handling of the Comey case and the Southern Poverty Law Center indictment has drawn praise from Trump allies but raised alarms among civil liberties groups. The decision to shield Trump’s tax records from review remains a flashpoint, with Democrats accusing the administration of using the Justice Department to protect the president from legal accountability.
As Trump weighs his options, the question of whether Blanche will be formally nominated—and when—remains open. For now, the acting attorney general appears to have the president’s confidence, but the political calculus of a Senate confirmation fight could delay any permanent appointment.
