President Donald Trump on Wednesday named Todd Blanche as his nominee for attorney general, setting the stage for a contentious Senate confirmation process expected to focus on the handling of the Epstein files and the administration's so-called "Anti-Weaponization Fund."
On the Thursday edition of MS NOW’s The Last Word, host Lawrence O'Donnell seized on an April press-conference remark from Blanche — who served as acting attorney general — arguing the comment functioned as an unmistakable public plea for the job.
O'Donnell's Take
O'Donnell characterized Blanche's line, "Thank you very much. I love you, sir," as an "audition" that likely clinched his selection. Drawing on his experience casting actors for television, the host suggested Blanche's direct, flattering address to President Trump was the moment he effectively auditioned to become Trump's permanent attorney general.
Todd Blanche, Acting Attorney General: "As to whether or not I want this job, I did not ask for this job. I — I love working for President Trump. It’s the greatest honor of a lifetime. And if President Trump chooses to keep me as acting, that’s an honor. If he chooses to nominate me, that’s an honor. If he chooses to nominate somebody else and I go back to being the DAG, that’s an honor. If he chooses to nominate somebody else and asks me to go do something else, I will say, thank you very much. I love you, sir."
O'Donnell added that Blanche appeared visibly nervous speaking behind a Justice Department microphone and accused him of "debasing himself" publicly — portraying the moment as a desperate bid for favor rather than a measured statement from a senior Justice official.
Context Ahead Of Confirmation
The upcoming confirmation fight is expected to probe Blanche's role in past Justice Department matters, including decisions related to Jeffrey Epstein's case files and the controversial Anti-Weaponization Fund. Blanche is also notable for previously serving as deputy attorney general and being confirmed to that post by Republican senators. He has also represented Trump in the past as a criminal defense lawyer.
The MS NOW segment included the clip O'Donnell discussed and framed the exchange as central to understanding Blanche’s relationship with — and apparent deference to — President Trump.
