Acting AG Todd Blanche says he is ‘honored’ by Trump’s nomination
FBI releases list of ‘most wanted fraudsters’ as crackdown continues
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche details the discovery of a complex 2,000-foot drug smuggling tunnel from Mexico to San Diego that resulted in the seizure of $45 million in cocaine. Blanche also highlights crime reduction initiatives across the country, discussing the arrests of three men in Kansas and California in connection with an ISIS plot to attack U.S. service members, the FBI’s efforts against fraudsters, and her nomination as permanent attorney general by President Donald Trump.
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Following a wave of high-profile arrests, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said he was “honored and humbled” by President Donald Trump’s decision to nominate him as the permanent head of the Department of Justice.
Speaking on “Saturday in America,” Blanche outlined the department’s efforts to fulfill Trump’s campaign promises on public safety and highlighted several recent Justice Department arrests.
“Look, carrying out the priorities that the president has been talking about since he ran for president makes this country safe again. That’s what we do every day at the Department of Justice,” Blanche said. “I am honored and humbled that President Trump asked me to become the permanent attorney general.”.”
On Wednesday, Trump announced plans to nominate Blanche to permanently lead the Justice Department following the departure of former Attorney General Pam Bondi in April. White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles later I congratulated Blanche online, “Todd is a friend and I look forward to continuing to work together.”
TRUMP SAYS HE WILL NOMINATE ACTING AG TODD BLANCHE PERMANENTLY AS JUSTICE DEPARTMENT PRESIDENT.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche speaks at a news conference at the Department of Justice with FBI Director Kash Patel on April 21, 2026, in Washington, DC. (Nathan Posner/Anatolia via Getty Images)
Blanche took over the acting role in April following the departure of former Attorney General Pam Bondi, who came under fire from some conservatives for her handling of the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
The news comes after Blanche and the Ministry of Justice announced a series of arrests. These included dismantling the drug-smuggling tunnel from Mexico to California, equipped with rail and electricity, which Blanche described as “very complex.”
“Now that the borders are closed, they have to find other ways to obtain drugs in this country. And this was one of the ways they tried to do that,” Blanche said.
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Blanche also pointed out the recent accusations against three people. Accused of supporting ISISWhile he called their anti-American rhetoric “very disturbing,” he praised the quick work of federal officials.
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“This is a good reminder to Americans that this fight is not over. There are still many people who want to harm this country and our citizens,” he said.
Blanche previously served as Trump’s lead criminal defense attorney in several cases involving the president, including the New York hush money case and cases brought by former Special Counsel Jack Smith.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche testifies at a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies hearing at the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, DC, on May 19, 2026. (Nathan Posner/Anatolia via Getty Images)
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Earlier this week, Blanche announced that the Justice Department would not move forward with a nearly $1.8 billion “counterproliferation” fund. The funding was part of an agreement between President Donald J. Trump and the Internal Revenue Service after Trump, his family members and the Trump Organization agreed to waive monetary damages resulting from the release of his tax returns, according to the Justice Department.
The fund has faced legal challenges, and the Justice Department announced Monday it would comply with a court order to temporarily block the fund. At a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing on Tuesday, Blanche confirmed: The administration will not pursue this idea further, saying, “We’re not making progress on funding, period.”
