WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate narrowly confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general on Saturday, giving President Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer permanent control of the Justice Department after weeks of uncertainty over his nomination.
Blanche was approved 50-49, with Republican Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joining Democrats in opposition. Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana provided the decisive vote after saying he believed Blanche was the strongest candidate Trump was likely to nominate.
The vote ended a contentious confirmation battle centered on Blanche’s independence from Trump and his handling of a settlement involving the president’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service. Blanche had been serving as acting attorney general since April, after Trump dismissed Pam Bondi, and previously served as the department’s deputy attorney general.
Republican senators had raised concerns about a proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund and provisions that would have restricted IRS audits of Trump, his sons and their family business. Under pressure from Republican lawmakers, Blanche agreed in writing to abandon the payments and narrow the tax-related protections.
Murkowski said before the vote that she lacked confidence Blanche would be willing to check what she described as the administration’s worst impulses. Collins also opposed the nomination. Democrats likewise argued that Blanche’s close relationship with Trump raised questions about the Justice Department’s independence.
Blanche’s supporters pointed to his nearly decade-long career as a federal prosecutor in New York and his experience overseeing the Justice Department. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, a Republican, called Blanche a “tough, fair prosecutor dedicated to the rule of law” and backed his confirmation.
Before joining the Justice Department, Blanche represented Trump in several criminal matters, including the former president’s New York hush-money case and federal prosecutions brought during Joe Biden’s administration. His ties to Trump became a central issue during the confirmation process.
As attorney general, Blanche will lead a Justice Department that has undergone significant changes under Trump, including personnel departures and a shift toward investigations and enforcement priorities favored by the administration. Republicans have cited the department’s focus on violent crime, immigration and drug trafficking as evidence of its effectiveness, while Democrats have questioned its independence.
Blanche’s confirmation now makes him the permanent head of the Justice Department and ends his period as acting attorney general.
