US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he will nominate his former personal lawyer, Todd Blanche, to serve as attorney general on a permanent basis.
Trump announced the decision during a White House dinner, saying he would formally submit Blanche's nomination on Thursday.
Blanche has been leading the Justice Department in an acting capacity since Trump dismissed former Attorney General Pam Bondi amid scrutiny over the handling of files related to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The move would place one of Trump's closest legal allies at the helm of the Justice Department after months of political and legal controversy.
Justice Department faces fresh scrutiny
Before becoming acting attorney general, Blanche served as the department's second-ranking official and was previously part of Trump's legal team.
His tenure has drawn attention over Justice Department investigations involving some of Trump's political adversaries, including former FBI Director James Comey.
Blanche also recently testified before Congress regarding a proposed $1.8 billion compensation fund tied to a settlement involving the Internal Revenue Service. He told lawmakers the fund would not move forward, though provisions shielding Trump from certain tax-related investigations would remain in place.
The nomination is expected to trigger a confirmation battle in the Senate, where lawmakers are likely to scrutinise Blanche's close ties to the president and his stewardship of the Justice Department.
