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Acting AG Todd Blanche Makes Case for Permanent Position Following Bondi’s Dismissal
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche met with President Donald Trump shortly after Pam Bondi’s dismissal last week to advocate for the permanent role, Fox News Digital has confirmed. White House officials encouraged Blanche to speak with the president while names like EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin briefly circulated as potential candidates.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump and Blanche spoke on Thursday following Bondi’s departure. The meeting came after Trump announced on social media that Blanche would step into the role on an acting basis.
“It’s really Todd’s role to lose at this point,” one source familiar with the situation told Fox News Digital.
Blanche now faces a critical window to prove his capabilities before the midterm elections, which could potentially shift power in Congress and complicate any confirmation process. With approximately 120,000 employees under his direction at the Department of Justice, Blanche’s leadership will be closely scrutinized in the coming months.
Some Justice Department veterans, however, speculate that Trump might prefer keeping Blanche in an acting capacity. Former DOJ prosecutor Kevin Flynn suggested: “The safest thing for Trump to do is just to keep Blanche, the ultimate loyalist, in place as Acting, at least through the midterms, and avoid a confirmation fight.”
Trump fired Bondi during an Oval Office meeting on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, shortly before his address on the Iran conflict. The president confirmed her departure on Truth Social about 45 minutes after Fox News Digital first reported the dismissal.
According to sources, it was during a follow-up conversation after the initial announcement that Blanche made his strongest case for the permanent position. One source paraphrased Trump telling his former personal attorney, “Here’s your audition.”
A Justice Department spokesperson confirmed the timeline, stating that “Blanche got a call from POTUS after leaving a podcast taping on Thursday following the report on Fox.”
Blanche has already begun reshaping the department’s leadership. On Thursday, he appointed Trent McCotter as principal associate deputy attorney general. During a Tuesday press conference focused on fraud, Blanche announced the creation of a new DOJ fraud division with Colin McDonald serving as assistant attorney general. He also brought two trusted advisers—Shane Hedges and James McHenry—with him to the attorney general’s office.
At the press conference, Blanche demonstrated his loyalty to the president, saying: “I love working for President Trump. It’s the greatest honor of a lifetime. And if President Trump chooses to nominate somebody else and asks me to go do something else, I’ll say, ‘Thank you very much, I love you, sir.'”
Sources suggest Blanche will need to distinguish himself from Bondi’s tenure, particularly regarding her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files—a significant factor in her dismissal. In February 2025, Bondi had promised to release the Epstein client list, but subsequent disclosures over the following year yielded no new prosecutions or significant revelations, leaving many Americans dissatisfied.
Even if Blanche secures Trump’s nomination, he faces potential challenges in the Senate confirmation process. Bondi was confirmed by a narrow 54-46 vote, with all Republican senators and just one Democrat, Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, supporting her nomination. Blanche might face similar opposition, particularly from lawmakers critical of the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein case.
As Blanche continues his “audition” for the permanent role, his handling of the president’s anti-fraud initiatives and his ability to address lingering concerns about the Epstein investigation will likely determine whether he becomes the next confirmed Attorney General of the United States or remains in an acting capacity through the midterm elections.
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7 Comments
This is an interesting development in the ongoing saga at the DOJ. I’ll be watching closely to see how the situation unfolds and whether Blanche can prove himself worthy of the permanent role.
The Attorney General role is so important for providing independent oversight and enforcement. I’m a bit concerned about reports of White House officials lobbying potential candidates – that could undermine the DOJ’s autonomy. Transparency and integrity will be key.
This is a critical juncture for the DOJ. The new Attorney General will face significant challenges in restoring public trust and upholding the department’s core mission. I hope the selection process prioritizes experience, ethics, and a commitment to the rule of law.
Interesting developments in the DOJ leadership transition. It will be critical for the new AG to maintain public trust and uphold the rule of law impartially, regardless of political affiliations. I’m curious to see how Blanche’s audition goes in the coming months.
This seems like a complex situation with political dynamics at play. I hope the next Attorney General can focus on the core mission of the DOJ and avoid being drawn into partisan battles. Steady, principled leadership will be essential.
It’s concerning to hear about potential White House interference in the selection process. The DOJ needs to maintain its independence and credibility, which could be undermined by overt political maneuvering.
The Attorney General position requires someone with a strong commitment to the rule of law and the Constitution, regardless of political affiliations. I hope the selection process focuses on finding the most qualified and principled candidate.