From Dispatch Room
United States President Donald Trump has indicated that he plans to make acting Attorney General Todd Blanche the permanent head of the U.S. Department of Justice, describing him as “a very talented guy” amid growing political debate over the agency’s direction.
Trump made the remarks during an interview on the “Pod Force One” podcast aired on Wednesday, where he praised Blanche’s performance since taking over the Justice Department in April.
“He’s a very talented guy. Todd’s doing a very good job at DOJ,” Trump said during the interview.
When asked directly whether Blanche would become the next U.S. Attorney General, Trump responded: “I think he will.”
Blanche, a former personal lawyer to Trump, has served as acting Attorney General following the removal of Pam Bondi earlier this year. His temporary appointment is expected to expire later in October unless Trump formally nominates him for Senate confirmation or extends the arrangement through another nomination process.
The possible nomination is already generating political attention in Washington, especially after controversy surrounding a now-abandoned Justice Department proposal to establish a $1.8 billion compensation fund for alleged victims of what Trump allies describe as government “weaponisation.”
The proposal attracted strong bipartisan criticism after reports suggested the fund could potentially compensate individuals connected to the January 6 Capitol riot cases and other politically sensitive prosecutions.
Following backlash from lawmakers and some White House officials, Blanche confirmed on Tuesday that the Justice Department would no longer proceed with the plan.
Despite the criticism, Trump defended the abandoned proposal during the podcast interview, insisting that some individuals had suffered unfair treatment under previous administrations.
“These are people that have been decimated,” Trump said. “And I gave them pardons. I’m very proud to have given them pardons.”
Blanche has remained a controversial figure within U.S. political circles due to his close relationship with Trump and his aggressive approach toward agencies and individuals viewed by the administration as political opponents.
Under his leadership, the Justice Department has intensified investigations involving former FBI officials and several organisations frequently criticised by conservative groups.
Trump also expressed satisfaction with the current pace of activity at the Justice Department compared to the early months of his administration.
“I’m much more satisfied now than at the beginning,” the president said.
Any formal nomination of Blanche would require confirmation by the U.S. Senate, where Republicans currently hold a narrow majority.
— Newspot Nigeria
