Trump formally nominates Todd Blanche for permanent attorney general role

U.S. President Donald Trump has formally nominated Todd Blanche, the acting attorney general and a former personal lawyer to the president, to permanently lead the Department of Justice.

The nomination was submitted to the Senate on June 8, according to a statement published by the White House. Blanche must first receive approval from the Senate Judiciary Committee before his nomination is put to a vote in the full Senate, where a simple majority is required for confirmation.

Blanche has served as acting attorney general since April 2, when Trump appointed him following the departure of former Attorney General Pam Bondi.

His confirmation process could face scrutiny over several issues, including his handling of documents related to the case of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his involvement in efforts to establish a controversial $1.8 billion fund aimed at combating what supporters describe as the "weaponisation" of government institutions.

DOJ has released approximately 3 million files compelled by Congress, but Bondi was pushed to explain why another 3 million still have not been released.

By Sabina Mammadli