On Saturday morning, August 8, 2026, the U.S. Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general by a vote of 50 to 49. Blanche, who previously served as Donald Trump’s personal defense lawyer, has sparked controversy over his appointment.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Senate Republicans for the confirmation, stating they have "handed Trump an excuse on a silver platter" to continue what Schumer described as "pervasive, breathtaking misconduct." Schumer emphasized, "If you want to wipe out corruption, you can’t have the president’s personal attorney as the attorney general. You don’t need a PhD in political science to know that."

Schumer also pledged that Senate Democrats will persist in opposing what they call the Trump administration’s "assault on the rule of law and undermining of democratic values."

Adding to the criticism, New Mexico Democratic Representative Melanie Stansbury called Blanche’s confirmation a "dark moment" for the nation’s system of checks and balances. Stansbury expressed skepticism about Blanche’s independence, saying in a radio interview, "I’ve got to be convinced that he is an attorney general who just happens to have once been President Trump’s personal attorney, as opposed to President Trump’s personal attorney who is now the attorney general. I think there’s a big difference between the two."

During Blanche’s tenure as deputy and acting attorney general, the department indicted former FBI director James Comey twice, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and the Southern Poverty Law Center, cases viewed by some experts as weak.

Meanwhile, the government faces a potential shutdown after September 30 if new funding is not approved. Republican Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins described the continuing resolution (CR) as "a major step toward averting a damaging shutdown that only harms vital programs and federal workers," noting it maintains current funding levels.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, President Trump, and Senate conservatives agreed to postpone a vote on a budget resolution and delay action on a significant portion of the SAVE America Act until after the congressional recess.

Sources