According to a report cited by CNN, President Donald Trump is expected to formally nominate Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to serve as the nation's attorney general, potentially as early as Wednesday evening.Blanche has been serving in the acting role since former Attorney General Pam Bondi was removed from the position in April.Prior to joining the Department of Justice, Blanche was widely known for serving as one of Trump's defense attorneys in several legal matters.During his tenure as acting attorney general, Blanche has overseen a number of significant and controversial initiatives.Among them was an effort to establish a $1.776 billion compensation fund intended for individuals who claimed they had been wrongfully prosecuted by the federal government.The proposal attracted public attention and debate regarding its scope and cost.

The reported nomination comes shortly after Blanche appeared before the House Appropriations Committee during an oversight hearing focused on the Department of Justice.Lawmakers questioned him about several departmental matters, including the handling of files related to Jeffrey Epstein.The hearing became contentious at times, with members of Congress engaging in sharp exchanges.

During one notable moment, Committee Chairman Representative Hal Rogers interrupted questioning by Representative Madeleine Dean as she pressed Blanche on issues related to the Epstein documents.If nominated and confirmed, Blanche would move from his temporary leadership position to become the permanent head of the Department of Justice.

The report indicates that the White House may announce the nomination imminently, though the appointment would still require Senate confirmation before becoming official.