By Kristen Holmes, Hannah Rabinowitz, CNN
(CNN) – President Donald Trump revealed during a private dinner at the White House on Wednesday night that he intends to nominate Todd Blanche for the role of attorney general.
Trump adviser Dan Scavino shared a video on X showing Trump making the announcement at the dinner in the Rose Garden.
“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.
Once Trump formally nominates him, it will conclude Blanche’s two months in an acting capacity since his predecessor, Pam Bondi, was dismissed. Since then, Blanche, who is Trump’s outspoken former personal lawyer, has worked hard to show the president that he can handle the position.
CNN reported earlier on Wednesday that Trump was likely to nominate Blanche for attorney general soon based on information from a source familiar with the situation.
In an earlier statement to CNN, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson mentioned, “President Trump has a great relationship with acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and is very pleased with the job he’s doing so far.”
She added, “Todd Blanche is an American patriot who fearlessly fought against the Democrats’ unprecedented lawfare campaign on behalf of President Trump. 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.”
The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Blanche’s anticipated nomination has been almost assumed from early on. The president has frequently indicated that this role was Blanche’s to lose and praised him as a devoted supporter and talented lawyer.
Over recent weeks, Blanche has gained even more favor within the White House. He secured indictments against some of Trump’s personal adversaries like former FBI Director James Comey, rolled back gun control measures and issued subpoenas to journalists regarding their sources. He also announced extensive fraud initiatives nationwide that align with the White House’s “war on fraud.”
However, critics argue that those same actions demonstrate how Blanche has advanced Trump’s personal and political goals by using the Justice Department as his own weapon.
His expected nomination arrives amidst ongoing resistance against the department concerning a proposed $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization” fund intended to compensate individuals claiming wrongful prosecution by the government. This fund was originally introduced as part of a settlement between the Internal Revenue Service and Trump along with his adult sons and the Trump Organization.
Republicans in Congress expressed strong opposition over this fund – particularly concerned about potential payouts for January 6th rioters.
After facing intense pushback from members of his own party over several weeks, Blanche announced on Tuesday that they were abandoning this initiative.
For his part, Blanche has passionately expressed his interest in securing this position along with support for Trump. In a press conference shortly after being appointed acting attorney general, he told reporters that working for Trump is “the greatest honor of a lifetime.”
“If he chooses to nominate somebody else and asks me to go do something else, I will say: ‘Thank you very much; I love you sir,’” he said.
This story and headline have been updated with additional details.
The-CNN-Wire
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