Trump sparks outrage online by nominating Todd Blanche for Attorney General

President Donald Trump officially nominated Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to the Attorney General position on Monday, a move that many political analysts expected yet were outraged by anyway.

Blanche, Trump's former defense attorney, has been at the center of several scandals in the Trump administration. For instance, he interviewed convicted sex criminal Ghislaine Maxwell, an associate of Jeffrey Epstein, for nine hours before approving her transfer to a minimum security facility. Blanche has also been combative with lawmakers during hearings about the Department of Justice's release of the Epstein files.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), chairman of the Judiciary Committee, confirmed in a statement to Punchbowl News that he received Blanche's nomination. He also described Blanche as "well-qualified."

Blanche's nomination sparked a firestorm on social media.

"Todd Blanche botched the release of the Epstein Files," Rep. Deborah Ross (D-NC) posted on X. "Of course Trump wants to give him a promotion. Blanche - Trump's former personal attorney - helped create Trump's slush fund, prosecuted his enemies, and turned a blind eye to blatant corruption. He is Trump’s lawyer - not the people’s lawyer. He's wholly unfit to be AG."

"Great. Someone else who has no regard for the law," Steve Andrews, a retired investigative reporter, posted on X.

"Todd Blanche doesn't work for the American people," Xavier Becerra, a Democratic candidate for California Governor, posted on X. "He works for one man. He weaponized the DOJ to go after Trump's enemies. He created a slush fund for Trump's allies. He botched the Epstein files. He turned the nation's top law enforcement office into a personal favor factory. The Senate must reject this nomination."

"For as long as he’s been at the DOJ, Todd Blanche has proven that he’s more than happy to corrupt our justice system on behalf of one man - and cover up the crimes of many in the Epstein files," Rep. Becca Balint (D-VT) posted on X. "It’s no surprise that Trump wants his 'former' personal attorney as OUR attorney general."