The US Senate has narrowly confirmed Todd Blanche as the nation’s new attorney general, giving President Donald Trump a major political victory after a contentious confirmation battle.
Blanche was approved by a 50-49 vote early Saturday, with all Democrats voting against his nomination. Two Republicans, Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, also opposed him. Senator Bill Cassidy provided the decisive Republican vote.
The confirmation formally puts Blanche in charge of the US Department of Justice, making him the country’s top federal law enforcement official. He had already been serving as acting attorney general after previously holding the position of deputy attorney general.
Blanche is a former personal criminal defence lawyer for Trump, a connection that became one of the biggest issues during his confirmation process. Critics argued that his close relationship with the president could undermine the independence of the Justice Department. Democrats also questioned his record and accused him of allowing the department to become too closely aligned with Trump's political interests.
His nomination also faced resistance from some Republicans over a controversial $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund connected to a settlement involving Trump and the federal government. Republican senators demanded stronger assurances before supporting his confirmation. Blanche eventually provided written commitments to roll back parts of the arrangement and narrow protections involving Trump and his family.
Another source of controversy was the Justice Department's handling of documents connected to Jeffrey Epstein. Blanche faced criticism over the release of material and concerns about how victims were treated during the process. These issues added to the already intense scrutiny surrounding his nomination.
Supporters of Blanche have defended his record, saying he has focused on public safety, reducing crime and addressing what they view as political bias within the Justice Department. Blanche himself has maintained that he is committed to enforcing the law and protecting the department's integrity.
The narrow vote highlights the deep divisions surrounding the Justice Department under Trump's administration. Blanche now takes permanent control of an agency facing major questions over its independence, prosecutorial priorities and relationship with the White House.
His confirmation is also significant because of his personal history with Trump. Having served as the president's lawyer before moving into senior Justice Department positions, Blanche will now be responsible for overseeing federal law enforcement across the United States.
The 50-49 vote brings an end to weeks of uncertainty over his nomination, but the political controversy surrounding Blanche is unlikely to disappear. His decisions as attorney general will be closely watched by both Congress and the public as he begins his full tenure at the Justice Department.
