The US Senate, where Republicans hold a fragile majority, confirmed Todd Blanche as Attorney General early Saturday by a 50–49 vote. Blanche previously served as Donald Trump's personal lawyer in several criminal cases before entering politics.
The vote followed a contentious confirmation process that raised deep questions about placing a close Trump ally at the helm of the Justice Department—an agency that prides itself on independence from the White House. Critics argue Trump wants to use the law enforcement agency to investigate his political opponents.
Before his confirmation, Blanche had temporarily led the Justice Department after Trump fired Pam Bondi in April. His formal approval could enable him to pursue the Trump administration's agenda more aggressively.
Republican senators had expressed concerns over Blanche's handling of the release of Jeffrey Epstein documents, his role in establishing Trump's $1.8 billion "de-weaponization" fund, and a tax waiver deal for the president and his sons.
Blanche overcame these hurdles by committing in writing to narrow the tax waiver and end "de-weaponization" payments—what critics call a slush fund for Trump allies, including some involved in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. However, questions remain over whether these commitments are legally binding and whether Trump could pressure Blanche to revive a similar program under a different name.
Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana was the decisive vote after declaring on Friday that he considered Blanche the best option Trump put forward. Blanche, for his part, argued that he helped bring crime rates to record lows and fix what he saw as wrongs committed by the Biden administration against Trump and his conservative allies.
