Trump to nominate Blanche for attorney general on permanent basis

US President Donald Trump has said he will nominate Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to take on the role permanently.

If confirmed by the Senate, Trump's former personal lawyer will become the administration's number one prosecutor on a continuing basis. The US attorney general is the top law enforcement position at the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Blanche took on the interim role shortly after Trump removed Pam Bondi in April.

A loyal Trump ally, Blanche defended the president in a range of cases, including his federal prosecution for allegedly withholding classified documents after his first term.

A video posted late on Wednesday by Deputy White House Chief of Staff Dan Scavino recorded Trump saying he would nominate Blanche "tomorrow", adding that he thought the Senate confirmation process would go "very quickly".

Earlier this week, Trump praised Blanche on the Pod Force One podcast: "He's a very talented guy. Todd's doing a very good job at DOJ."

Blanche has in recent weeks been at the centre of the DOJ's attempt to establish an "anti-weaponisation fund" to provide $1.8bn (£1.3bn) to people allegedly harmed by government overreach.

Some Republican lawmakers joined opposition Democrats in opposing the fund. And there was a further setback for Blanche when a federal judge ruled that the plan should be suspended to allow a legal challenge to move forward.