On June 8, 2026, President Donald Trump nominated Todd Blanche as attorney general, a role he has held in an acting capacity for over two months. Trump stated he would seek Senate confirmation for Blanche, who is succeeding Pam Bondi, dismissed by the president on April 2. The nomination follows Blanche's involvement in a Justice Department agreement that granted Trump, his family, and the Trump Organization immunity from prosecution related to tax returns filed before a settlement of Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS.
Blanche, currently the deputy attorney general, has faced criticism from some senators, including Republicans, regarding his authorization of the creation of an Anti-Weaponization Fund, which was part of the IRS lawsuit settlement. The fund, totaling $1.8 billion, was intended to compensate alleged victims of prosecutorial overreach during the Biden administration. Critics have raised concerns that it could benefit individuals convicted of crimes related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol invasion.
During a House subcommittee hearing, Blanche indicated that the Justice Department had abandoned plans for the fund due to criticism and a federal judge's injunction. However, he did not provide written assurance, leading to concerns about the fund's potential revival. Blanche confirmed that the agreement protecting Trump from prosecution regarding tax returns would remain in effect.
Representative Rosa DeLauro questioned Blanche about a potential conflict of interest, referencing payments made to him by Trump's Save America PAC while he served as the president's personal defense attorney. Blanche responded by seeking clarification on the alleged conflict.
In a recent closed-door interview, Bondi stated that she had tasked Blanche with ensuring compliance with a law requiring the Justice Department to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein, amid criticism for not redacting victim names and withholding documents. Trump has faced criminal charges, and Blanche has represented him in three cases, two of which were dropped after Trump was elected president in 2024 due to a policy against prosecuting sitting presidents. The third case resulted in a conviction for falsifying business records, for which Trump received an unconditional discharge shortly before his inauguration.
