President Donald Trump told a private gathering at the White House this week that he has settled on a replacement for former US Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Trump will nominate now-acting AG Todd Blanche, according to a video of the president at a dinner in the Rose Garden announcing his decision posted to X by adviser Dan Scavino.
“Tomorrow I’m instructing Dan and everybody else that’s involved in that very complicated process, which is gonna go I think very quickly, that we are going to make him permanent attorney general,” Trump said in the video.
When Trump formally nominates Blanche, it would end a two-month period in which he has served as attorney general on an acting basis following the dismissal of Bondi.
Since assuming the role, Blanche—best known to many Americans as Trump’s former personal attorney and one of his most outspoken legal defenders—has worked to establish himself as a leading figure within the administration’s law enforcement team.
Supporters argue he has aggressively advanced the president’s priorities while seeking to restore confidence among Trump allies who long accused the Justice Department of political bias.
CNN reported Wednesday that Trump was expected to move forward with Blanche’s nomination, citing a source familiar with the matter.
In an earlier statement to the outlet, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said, “President Trump has a great relationship with acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and is very pleased with the job he’s doing so far.”
“Todd Blanche is an American patriot who fearlessly fought against the Democrats’ unprecedented lawfare campaign on behalf of President Trump,” she added.
“The President’s entire team at the Department of Justice is doing a great job advocating for sanity, law and order, and policies that keep Americans safe,” Jackson noted further, per CNN.
Blanche’s expected nomination has been widely anticipated for months.
Trump has repeatedly praised him publicly, describing him as a trusted ally, an effective advocate, and someone well-suited to lead the Justice Department on a permanent basis.
In recent weeks, Blanche’s standing within the administration has appeared to strengthen further as the Justice Department pursued several high-profile initiatives.