U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he will permanently nominate Todd Blanche as the head of the Department of Justice. Blanche had taken over the role temporarily after former Attorney General Pam Bondi was removed from office in early April.
In a video recorded during a Rose Garden Club dinner at the White House on Wednesday evening, Trump said he would initiate the official nomination process for Blanche. Trump noted that the process is very complex but will proceed quickly, expressing that they will make Blanche the permanent attorney general.
On the same day, Trump also implied on the Pod Force One podcast that Blanche is a strong candidate for the nomination. When asked on the program whether Blanche would become Attorney General, he said he believed that would happen.
Trump also stated that he is not actively considering other candidates. He emphasized that Blanche performed well in the acting role and that he has known him for a long time.
The White House praised Blanche but did not immediately confirm the nomination officially. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said Trump has a good relationship with Blanche and that he has done his job well so far.
Jackson described Blanche as someone who has fought on Trump's behalf against Democrats' "unprecedented legal war." She also noted that the Department of Justice team has done a good job advocating policies that prioritize law and order and the safety of Americans.