Trump Nominates Todd Blanche as AG, Gets Grassley's Backing

President Donald Trump has officially nominated his former personal defense lawyer, Todd Blanche, to serve as the permanent Attorney General. Blanche has held the role in an acting capacity since early April. During that time, he has proven his willingness to pursue novel legal strategies and push boundaries to advance Trump's agenda and hold the government accountable.

Iowa Senator Champions the Nomination

Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, quickly voiced his strong support for Blanche on June 8. Grassley stated that Blanche is well-qualified and has shown his dedication to restoring law and order across our country.

For Iowa voters, having Senator Grassley at the helm of the Judiciary Committee means the state plays a crucial role in confirming presidential nominees. Grassley's immediate endorsement signals strong confidence that Blanche will steer the DOJ away from the politically motivated prosecutions that have plagued the department in recent years. With Republicans holding the chamber, Democrats lack the votes to block the nomination, despite their vocal opposition.

Leading Democrats, including Judiciary Committee ranking member Dick Durbin, attacked the nomination on social media. They argued Blanche is too close to the president.

Todd Blanche is no neutral law enforcement officer. He's never given up his primary role: Donald Trump's chief defender in court,

Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats posted. However, conservatives view Blanche's loyalty to Trump as an asset, ensuring the DOJ aligns with the will of the voters who elected Trump.

Holding Former FBI Director Accountable

Under Blanche's leadership, the Justice Department has taken aggressive steps to hold prominent Trump critics accountable. Blanche oversaw a new prosecution against former FBI Director James Comey. The case stems from a social media post where Comey shared seashells arranged as 8647, which many interpreted as a threat against the president.

The indictment against Comey replaced a previous case brought by former Attorney General Pam Bondi that was dismissed. Blanche has firmly defended the DOJ's decision to pursue the new indictment, emphasizing that threats against the president must be taken seriously, regardless of the source.

Comey quickly deleted the post and claimed he did not realize people would associate the numbers with violence. Trump had specifically called for Comey to be charged in a September 2025 social media post. Comey has been a vocal critic of the president since Trump fired him in 2017.

Targeting the Southern Poverty Law Center

Blanche has also directed the DOJ to pursue charges against the Southern Poverty Law Center. The SPLC has long angered conservatives for labeling mainstream right leaning organizations as hate groups. Many Iowans have viewed the SPLC with deep skepticism due to these biased tactics.

The current case alleges the SPLC committed fraud by telling donors it was collecting money to dismantle extremist groups, but instead used some of those funds to pay informants inside those groups. While some legal experts claim the charges are hard to prove, conservatives see it as a necessary step to ensure transparency and accountability for left wing organizations that exploit donor trust.

Responding to Congress on Weaponization Fund

Blanche initially oversaw an attempt to create an anti-weaponization fund that could have compensated Trump supporters convicted of crimes related to the January 6, 2021, protest at the U.S. Capitol. The concept aimed to correct what many conservatives view as the unjust persecution of political prisoners.

However, Blanche showed a willingness to listen to lawmakers. When members of Congress from both parties expressed concerns about using taxpayer dollars for this purpose, Blanche pulled the plug on the initiative. His choice to withdraw the proposal reflects a leader who can balance bold action with fiscal responsibility and congressional oversight.

From Personal Defender to Top Cop

Before stepping into the Justice Department, Blanche served as Trump's personal defense attorney. He represented Trump during the Manhattan criminal trial, where Trump was convicted of falsifying business records. Trump has appealed that verdict. Trump then appointed Blanche as deputy attorney general in 2025, setting the stage for his current role leading the nation's top law enforcement agency.

The White House announced the formal nomination on June 8. The Senate will now decide whether to confirm Blanche, giving him the chance to permanently lead the DOJ and continue his work to restore accountability in the justice system.