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Blanche Confirmed Narrowly
The U.S. Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general in a 50-49 vote early Saturday, cementing President Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer at the head of the Department of Justice.
“The Republican-led Senate voted 50-49 to make Blanche the second confirmed attorney general”
Blanche’s confirmation came after a standoff over a controversial settlement tied to Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS, and the vote was opposed by every Democrat and by two Republicans, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.
Senator Bill Cassidy cast the deciding vote, and Cassidy said, "This is not a referendum on President Trump. It is a decision regarding Mr Blanche in very specific circumstances," as the Senate capped a bruising confirmation fight.
Blanche, who had already been leading the department in an acting capacity since April, said on social media that he was "deeply honored by the trust and confidence President Trump has placed in me," after the overnight confirmation.
The BBC said the vote brings to an end a lengthy standoff between Senate Republicans and the Trump administration over Blanche, who has served as acting attorney general since April.
Opposition and Leverage
Democrats in the Senate voted against Blanche’s nomination, and The Hill reported that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the confirmation green lights Trump’s "pervasive, breathtaking corruption."
Murkowski joined Collins in opposing Blanche, and the BBC reported that Murkowski cited her lack of confidence in Blanche to "check the worst impulses of this administration."
The BBC also said Cassidy believed Blanche was the best option the president would put forward, quoting Cassidy: "All considered, I will vote for Mr Blanche."
CNN framed the confirmation as formalizing a reshaping of the Justice Department in Trump’s image, saying Blanche "was confirmed on Saturday as the attorney general" after being instrumental in expanding legal arguments and overseeing changes in the department.
In the confirmation fight, Republican concerns centered on the handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents and the $1.8bn "anti-weaponisation" fund, with critics fearing it could reach people connected to the 6 January attack on Congress in 2021.
What Comes Next
Blanche’s confirmation follows a written pledge to narrow the tax-immunity agreement and end the "weaponization" payments, with CNBC describing the deal as emerging from Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service.
“Blanche won confirmation in a 50-49 vote, with Republican Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski opposing him.”
CNBC said questions remain about whether the commitment is legally binding and whether Trump could later press Blanche, his former personal attorney, to revive a similar program under another name.
The Hill reported that Senators wrapped up a final stretch of work overnight into Saturday, confirming Blanche and passing a stopgap funding bill before adjourning for the August recess.
CNN said Blanche will now permanently act as the nation’s top law enforcement officer under Trump’s leadership, and it described a strategy of bringing cases that highlight what the president claims were instances of Justice Department "weaponization" against him, his allies and supporters.
As the Senate confirmed Blanche, the dispute over the anti-weaponization fund and related IRS protections remained central to the last votes, with Murkowski and Collins opposing while Cassidy’s support unlocked the final confirmation.
