Donald Trump nominates Todd Blanche as attorney general, sparking confirmation battle

Donald Trump formally nominated Todd Blanche as Attorney General on June 8, 2026, escalating a confirmation battle over his ties to the cryptocurrency industry. Blanche, a former Trump defense lawyer, has served as acting Attorney General since April 2026 after Trump dismissed Pam Bondi from the role. His nomination faces opposition from Senate Democrats and potentially Republican dissenters due to concerns about his financial conflicts. Blanche previously authored a 2025 memo titled *Ending Regulation By Prosecution*, which dismantled the DOJ’s National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team and narrowed enforcement efforts. He disclosed crypto holdings worth between $159,000 and $485,000—including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana—while making these policy changes. Senators Elizabeth Warren, Dick Durbin, and Mazie Hirono accused him of conflicts of interest in January 2026, citing the overlap between his personal investments and regulatory decisions. Blanche has pledged to divest his crypto holdings within 90 days of confirmation, but critics argue the damage was already done. His deputy AG confirmation in March 2025 passed narrowly (52-46), signaling potential Republican resistance to his permanent appointment. Blanche’s prior role as Trump’s lawyer in the New York hush-money case also adds political weight to his nomination. If confirmed, Blanche’s DOJ is expected to maintain a lighter-touch approach to crypto enforcement, continuing the dismantling of the enforcement team. Industry observers warn that reduced oversight could mirror past regulatory vacuums, contributing to past scandals like FTX and Terra/Luna, which cost investors billions. The confirmation fight may also see internal Republican divisions, as Blanche’s initial deputy AG vote was razor-thin. His nomination highlights broader tensions between Trump’s administration and critics over financial conflicts and regulatory priorities.