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, previously represented Trump in multiple criminal trials before joining the government. His confirmation faced uncertainty when two Republican senators initially withheld support, but Senator Bill Cassidy later announced his backing on live television, tipping the balance.

Democrats have opposed Blanche's appointment from the start, accusing Trump of using the Justice Department as a political tool. Senator Dick Durbin, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, stated on Tuesday, "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 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 was expected to pass by a narrow margin, with all Democrats anticipated to vote against Blanche.

Sources