Following a wave of high-profile arrests, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said he is "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 DOJ arrests."Look, executing on the president's priorities that he has talked about since he was running for president, and that's making this country safe again.And so we're doing that every day at the Department of Justice," Blanche said.
"I'm honored and humbled that President Trump has asked me to become the permanent attorney general."On Wednesday, Trump announced plans to nominate Blanche to permanently lead the DOJ, following the departure of former Attorney General Pam Bondi in April.White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles subsequently congratulated Blanche online, writing, "Todd is a friend and I look forward to continuing our work together."TRUMP SAYS HE WILL NOMINATE ACTING AG TODD BLANCHE TO PERMANENTLY LEAD JUSTICE DEPARTMENTActing Attorney General Todd Blanche spoke during a press conference alongside FBI Director Kash Patel at the Department of Justice on April 21, 2026, in Washington, D.C.
(Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images)Blanche took over the acting role in April following the departure of former Attorney General Pam Bondi, who faced criticism from some conservatives over her handling of the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files.The news comes as Blanche and the DOJ announced a series of arrests.Among them was the dismantling of a drug-smuggling tunnel stretching from Mexico to California, which Blanche described as "very sophisticated" and equipped with a rail system and electricity."Now that the borders are closed, they have to find other ways to get drugs in this country.
And this was one way they were trying to do it," Blanche said.JUDGE TEMPORARILY BLOCKS TRUMP DO...