President Donald Trump has formally submitted acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination to the U.S. Senate, beginning the confirmation process for the former Trump defense attorney to permanently lead the Justice Department. The White House announced Monday that the nomination had been transmitted to the Senate for consideration.
Blanche has served as acting attorney general since April, when Trump dismissed former Attorney General Pam Bondi and elevated his deputy attorney general to the department’s top position. Trump announced last week that he intended to make Blanche the permanent attorney general, praising his performance and signaling confidence in his leadership of the department.
Senate Confirmation Fight Begins
The nomination now heads to the Senate Judiciary Committee before a vote by the full Senate.
With Republicans controlling the Senate by a 53-47 margin, Blanche enters the confirmation process with a clear numerical advantage, though questions remain about whether he can unite the entire GOP conference. Several senators from both parties have raised questions about aspects of his tenure as acting attorney general, suggesting the confirmation process could become contentious.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune recently noted that presidential nominees generally receive significant deference from Republican senators but acknowledged that no confirmation battle is guaranteed in the current political environment.
From Trump Defense Lawyer to Attorney General Nominee
Before joining the Justice Department, Blanche was best known as one of Trump’s personal attorneys.
He represented Trump in several high-profile criminal cases, including the New York hush-money trial and federal investigations involving classified documents and the 2020 election. Following Trump’s return to the White House, Blanche was nominated and confirmed as deputy attorney general before becoming acting attorney general earlier this year.
Supporters point to his background as a federal prosecutor and his experience leading the Justice Department over the past two months. Critics, however, have argued that his close personal and professional relationship with Trump raises concerns about the department’s independence.
Democrats Signal Opposition
Democrats have already begun mobilizing against the nomination.
Sen. Alex Padilla, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, accused Blanche of prioritizing loyalty to Trump over the rule of law and said he would oppose the nomination. Other Democratic lawmakers are expected to focus on Blanche’s handling of politically sensitive investigations and Justice Department decisions made during his tenure as acting attorney general.
Even Sen. John Fetterman — who has backed several of Trump’s nominees — said he does not intend to vote for Blanche.
Republicans, meanwhile, have largely praised Blanche’s focus on fraud investigations, violent crime, drug trafficking, and immigration enforcement. Blanche has said that, if confirmed, he intends to work with lawmakers from both parties while continuing the administration’s law enforcement priorities.
What’s Next
The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to schedule confirmation hearings in the coming weeks.
If confirmed, Blanche would become Trump’s second Senate-confirmed attorney general of his second term and would take permanent control of a Justice Department that has frequently found itself at the center of political and legal battles during the administration.
The nomination also represents another step in Trump’s effort to place trusted allies in key administration positions as he enters the second half of his term. Whether Blanche can secure enough Senate support now becomes one of the most closely watched questions on Capitol Hill.
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