The U.S. Senate confirmed acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to be the next Attorney General on Saturday, August 8, 2026, following a contentious nomination process marked by opposition from several Republican senators.

Blanche was confirmed by a 50-49 vote, with every Democrat and two Republicans supporting his appointment. Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis had initially hesitated to back Blanche due to concerns over a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund. They demanded that the Department of Justice (DOJ) provide written proof that the fund was rescinded and sought revisions to an Internal Revenue Service settlement to limit audit immunity for former President Donald Trump and his family.

The DOJ submitted a written proposal to Cornyn on July 27, but Cornyn returned it, stating that his demands had not been met. This disagreement delayed the Senate Judiciary Committee's markup scheduled for July 30, which was postponed by Chairman Chuck Grassley until a deal was reached.

Blanche assumed the role of acting Attorney General on April 2, 2026, after former Attorney General Pam Bondi was fired by then-President Trump. His nomination faced criticism from over 1,200 former DOJ employees who argued that Blanche's actions had eroded the department's independence.

During the confirmation hearing on July 15, Cornyn questioned Blanche about the possibility of reviving the disputed fund. Meanwhile, Representative Ruben Gallego announced he would miss several votes due to a family emergency.

Despite the opposition and delays, Blanche's confirmation marks the conclusion of a fraught process within the Senate.

Sources