Who Will Be Donald Trump’s Next Attorney General? Lee Zeldin Leads Polymarket and Kalshi Odds

US President Donald Trump’s sudden dismissal of Attorney General Pam Bondi last Thursday has sparked a high-stakes guessing game over who will permanently lead the Department of Justice. While the President’s former defense attorney, Todd Blanche, was immediately elevated from Deputy to Acting Attorney General, political analysts and bettors are looking toward a more permanent appointment. The vacancy comes at a critical juncture for the administration as it continues to navigate legal challenges and domestic policy overhauls. Why Did Donald Trump Fire Pam Bondi as US Attorney General?

Polymarket, Kalshi Odds Favor Lee Zeldin

In the wake of Bondi’s ouster, prediction markets have become a primary gauge for political insiders. As of April 7, 2026, Lee Zeldin, the current Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has emerged as the clear frontrunner on major platforms.

On Kalshi, the "Next Attorney General" contract shows Zeldin with a commanding lead, reflecting a high probability among traders that the former New York Congressman will be shifted from the EPA to the DOJ. Similarly, Polymarket participants have heavily backed Zeldin, with his "shares" trading significantly higher than other potential candidates.

Lee Zeldin Favorite in Kalshi Odds

Lee Zeldin Emerges as Frontrunner for Attorney General in New Polymarket Odds

Zeldin is viewed as a staunch Trump loyalist who has already executed a "deregulatory blitz" at the EPA, a track record that reportedly appeals to a President seeking more aggressive action from the Justice Department.

The Case for Todd Blanche

While Zeldin leads the odds, Todd Blanche remains a formidable contender for the permanent role. Having served as Trump’s lead defense attorney in several high-profile criminal cases prior to joining the administration, Blanche holds a level of personal trust with the President that few others can match.

Currently serving as Acting Attorney General, Blanche has already begun shifting DOJ resources toward immigration enforcement under "Operation Take Back America." However, some insiders suggest the President may prefer to keep Blanche in a "fixer" or deputy role while installing a more seasoned political figure like Zeldin to navigate the Senate confirmation process.

Other Potential Contenders

While the markets are currently consolidated around a few names, several other figures remain in the periphery:

• Andrew Bailey: The Missouri Attorney General, known for his legal challenges against federal policies, has been mentioned as a possible "dark horse" who would bring state-level executive experience.
• Emil Bove: Another former Trump defense lawyer currently serving in a senior DOJ capacity, though he was recently nominated for a federal judgeship.
• Ken Paxton: The Texas Attorney General remains a favorite among the "MAGA" base, though his own past legal entanglements could complicate a federal confirmation.

The Ouster of Pam Bondi

The search for a new chief law enforcement officer began abruptly on April 2, when President Trump announced Pam Bondi’s departure via Truth Social. While Trump publicly praised Bondi as a "patriot," reports indicate he was privately dissatisfied with the pace of investigations into his political adversaries.

Bondi, who took office in early 2025 after Matt Gaetz withdrew his nomination, had struggled to secure indictments in several high-priority probes. The next nominee will inherit a department under intense pressure to deliver results on the administration’s legal and investigative priorities.

The reliance on prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket comes amid an ongoing legal battle. The Trump administration recently filed lawsuits against several states, including Arizona and Connecticut, that have attempted to ban election-based betting. The federal government argues that these platforms provide valuable "collective intelligence," while state regulators maintain they constitute illegal gambling.

As the legal fight over the markets continues, they remain the most visible indicator of who might next lead the nation's most powerful legal institution.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 07, 2026 10:22 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).