Washington — Early on Saturday, August 8th, 2026, the Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general in a tight 50-49 vote, installing President Trump's former defense lawyer as head of the Justice Department.

Blanche's confirmation faced opposition from all Senate Democrats as well as Republicans Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. His path cleared on Friday when Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy announced his support.

During his June confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Blanche addressed concerns over the Justice Department's $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund, which was designed to provide payouts to individuals alleging they were wronged by the federal government. Blanche stated the fund was "dead" and the department was "not moving forward" with the program amid strong pushback.

Following the vote, Blanche expressed gratitude on social media, saying he was "deeply honored by the trust and confidence President Trump has placed in me to lead the Department of Justice."

The confirmation comes as Trump faces multiple legal challenges, including a New York state criminal case related to a $130,000 "hush money" payment made before the 2016 election, and two federal cases brought by former special counsel Jack Smith concerning efforts to subvert the 2020 presidential power transfer and handling of sensitive government documents.

Supporters hailed the confirmation as "a huge win for President Trump and our country," emphasizing Blanche's "unwavering commitment to law and order," while critics cited concerns about actions that have "further eroded the Department's independence."

Sources