Trump nominates Todd Blanche for attorney general amid controversy over DOJ fund

Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche arrives to speak during a news conference at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice building on April 07, 2026 in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images President Donald Trump on Monday nominated Todd Blanche as attorney general, a position that he has held in an acting capacity for more than two months. Trump had said he would ask the Senate to confirm Blanche as attorney general to succeed Pam Bondi , whom the president fired on April 2. The nomination comes weeks after Blanche had the Justice Department give Trump, his family members, and the Trump Organization immunity from prosecution or enforcement actions by the Internal Revenue Service in connection with tax returns filed before a controversial settlement of Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS. Blanche, who is currently the deputy attorney general, previously served as a criminal defense lawyer for Trump when the president was out of office from January 2021 through January 2025. Since being named in the acting capacity, Blanche has faced strong criticism from senators, including some Republicans , whose support he will need to win confirmation. Those lawmakers and good-government advocacy groups, have blasted Blanche for authorizing the Justice Department's creation of a so-called Anti-Weaponization Fund as part of the settlement of Trump's lawsuit against the IRS. …