Lee Zeldin Emerges as Leading Attorney General Replacement Candidate

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, a former New York congressman, has emerged as President Donald Trump’s leading candidate to permanently replace Pam Bondi as attorney general, TIME reported.¹

Multiple news outlets have identified Zeldin as the frontrunner for the nomination, citing sources within the White House and among Senate Republicans. The Washington Times reported that Zeldin has met with senior administration officials about the position.²

Zeldin’s Background

Zeldin represented New York’s 1st Congressional District on Long Island from 2015 to 2023. During his time in Congress, he served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and was a vocal supporter of Trump’s policy agenda.

He ran for governor of New York in 2022, losing to Democrat Kathy Hochul in the general election. Despite the loss in a heavily Democratic state, Zeldin’s performance was considered strong by Republican standards, and the campaign raised his national profile.

Trump nominated Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency in late 2024. He was confirmed and has overseen the agency’s rollback of several environmental regulations, drawing criticism from environmental groups and praise from industry advocates.

Confirmation Prospects

Legal analysts told TIME that Zeldin’s confirmation for attorney general would face different challenges than a typical DOJ nominee.¹ His background is primarily in politics rather than law enforcement or prosecution, which could draw scrutiny from members of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Zeldin holds a law degree from Albany Law School and served as a military intelligence officer in the U.S. Army before entering politics. He was admitted to the New York bar and practiced law briefly before running for the state senate.

Senate Republicans hold a 53-47 majority, providing a narrow margin for confirmation. Several Republican senators have not committed to supporting any specific nominee, and the Epstein files controversy has added an additional layer of scrutiny to the attorney general selection process.

The Washington Times reported that Senate GOP leaders have privately told the White House that a nominee without Epstein-related baggage would face an easier path to confirmation.² Zeldin has no known connections to the Epstein matter, which distinguishes him from Acting AG Todd Blanche.

Comparison to Blanche

Zeldin’s emergence as a leading candidate comes as Blanche faces growing questions about his suitability for the permanent role. Blanche’s July 2025 prison meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell and his public statements about the DOJ moving past Epstein files have created confirmation obstacles.

Multiple senators have signaled that Blanche’s handling of the Epstein matter would be a central focus of any confirmation hearing. By contrast, Zeldin would likely face questions focused on his qualifications and policy positions rather than specific Epstein-related controversies.

Blanche has not publicly indicated whether he is seeking the permanent nomination. His press conference performance, during which he denied making statements about Epstein files that were recorded by multiple outlets, further complicated his candidacy.

Timeline Uncertainty

The White House has not announced a timeline for the nomination. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president would make a decision “when he’s ready” and declined to confirm or deny reports about specific candidates.

Congressional sources said the Senate Judiciary Committee has begun preliminary preparation for a potential confirmation hearing but has not received a formal nomination. The delay has left the Justice Department under acting leadership during a period of significant congressional scrutiny over Epstein files and ongoing civil litigation.

References

1. Lee Zeldin emerges as Trump’s top AG pick - TIME
2. Zeldin discussed as leading Bondi replacement - Washington Times