On Saturday, August 8th, 2026, the US Senate voted 50–49 to confirm Todd Blanche as the Attorney General, marking a significant victory for President Donald Trump. Blanche, who has been serving as acting attorney general, is now fully empowered to lead the Justice Department.

The confirmation capped a divisive and closely contested cabinet fight during Trump's second term. Concerns were raised by both Republicans and Democrats about Blanche's independence, given his close ties to Trump and his role as the president's former criminal defense lawyer.

Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska were the only Republicans to oppose the nomination. Murkowski expressed apprehension over a nearly $2 billion "anti-weaponization fund" the department had proposed, which she said could have rewarded January 6 protesters, and warned about the uncertain future once the Senate vote concluded.

Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana cast the deciding vote in favor of Blanche, stating on the Senate floor that while Blanche is not perfect, he was a better choice than the alternative acting attorney general, who might not effectively run the department under Trump.

During his tenure as deputy and acting attorney general, Blanche accelerated investigations into Trump's perceived political foes and announced a settlement creating the $1.8 billion fund to compensate individuals who felt mistreated by the criminal justice system. This settlement also provided Trump and his family with immunity from IRS tax audits, a move Blanche later promised in writing to abandon under Senate pressure.

Blanche has defended Trump against criminal charges in two federal cases brought by the Biden administration's Department of Justice, describing his experience as revealing what he contends was the weaponization of the criminal justice system against the former president.

Blanche expressed gratitude on social media, saying he was “deeply honored by the trust and confidence President Trump has placed in me” and thanked senators for working late to confirm him.

The confirmation has been described as a major win for Trump, who now has a loyalist leading the nation's top law enforcement agency amid ongoing political and legal battles.

Sources