WASHINGTON — Todd Blanche, former personal lawyer to US President Donald Trump, was set for confirmation on Friday, August 7, 2026, as the US attorney general after Senate Republicans dismissed Democratic concerns about the politicization of the Department of Justice.

Blanche, who has been serving as acting attorney general, represented Trump in several criminal trials before joining the government. His confirmation faced uncertainty when two Republican senators initially opposed him. However, Senator Bill Cassidy later announced his support live on television, likely securing Blanche's confirmation by a narrow margin.

Democrats have strongly opposed Blanche's appointment, accusing Trump of turning the Justice Department into a political tool. Senator Dick Durbin, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, stated, "The attorney general is supposed to be the people's lawyer. Mr Blanche continues to operate as the president's personal lawyer."

Blanche was part of Trump's legal defense team in two federal cases brought by special counsel Jack Smith concerning alleged mishandling of classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. Both cases were dropped after Trump won the 2024 presidential election.

The confirmation comes amid ongoing debates about the independence of government agencies, with Trump noted for seeking increased control over them.

Sources