Will Donald Trump announce Lee Zeldin as the next United States Attorney General by June 30?

Prediction markets put the probability at 12%: Will Donald Trump announce Lee Zeldin as the next United States Attorney General by June 30. Currently, markets see this as unlikely (12% YES). Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche speaks during a news conference at the Department of Justice headquarters in Washington, DC, on April 7.

What’s Happening

The probability that President Donald Trump will announce Lee Zeldin as the next United States Attorney General by June 30 remains low at 12%, according to current market data, as the acting attorney general, Todd Blanche, aggressively consolidates his position. Blanche, who has served as acting head of the Department of Justice since early 2026, has been publicly praised by Trump for his handling of high-profile investigations, including the probe into former CIA director John Brennan. A recent CNN report detailed Blanche’s “audition” for the permanent role, noting that he traveled to Florida on April 21 to meet with a new prosecutor assigned to the Brennan case, a move widely interpreted as a bid to secure the top job. This internal maneuvering has significantly dampened speculation that Trump would announce Lee Zeldin as the next United States Attorney General, as Blanche’s actions signal a strong push for the permanent appointment [CNN, Apr 21].

Adding further complexity to the succession race, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has been actively lobbying Trump for a prime role in the administration, including the attorney general position, according to an Axios scoop published on April 21. DeSantis, who must leave office at the end of his second term in January 2027, has told confidants he is “begging” for a job, and Trump is reportedly inclined to consider helping his former rival. This development introduces a wildcard into the contest, as DeSantis’s national profile and political base could make him a more prominent pick than either Blanche or Zeldin. Meanwhile, Blanche has doubled down on his strategy, with The Guardian reporting on April 25 that he is “going all in on Trump’s retaliation agenda” to prove his loyalty, including aggressive deployment of DOJ resources to target Trump’s political adversaries. These competing pressures make any announcement of Lee Zeldin as the next United States Attorney General increasingly uncertain [Axios, Apr 21] [Guardian, Apr 25].

The timeline for a final decision has been further complicated by a security incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 25, when President Trump was rushed from the event after sounds of possible gunfire. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche later stated on April 26 that the suspected shooter was likely targeting administration officials, though it remains unclear if Trump was specifically targeted. This event has shifted White House focus to immediate security and crisis management, potentially delaying any personnel announcements. With the June 30 deadline approaching, the procedural path for confirming a new attorney general—whether Blanche, DeSantis, or Zeldin—would require a Senate committee vote and a full floor vote, a process that typically takes several weeks. Given the current political dynamics and the absence of any formal nomination from Trump, the likelihood that he will announce Lee Zeldin as the next United States Attorney General by the end of June remains low [NBC News, Apr 26] [WXXI News, Apr 26].

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