On Saturday, August 8th, 2026, the US Senate voted 50-49 to confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general, marking a significant victory for President Donald Trump. Blanche, who had been serving as acting attorney general, will now officially lead the Department of Justice.

The confirmation was closely contested, with every Democrat opposing Blanche's nomination. Two Republican senators, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, also voted against him. Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana cast the deciding vote in favor, stating on the Senate floor, “Mr Blanche is not perfect, and he will tell you this, but the choice is not between perfection and Mr Blanche. It is between Mr Blanche and another acting attorney general who may not run the department effectively under President Trump and who indeed may not be as good as Mr Blanche.”

Blanche's confirmation followed a contentious hearing that revealed bipartisan concerns about his independence from the White House. Critics highlighted the Department of Justice's creation of a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund" and a settlement granting tax immunity to Trump, his sons, and his businesses. Under pressure, Blanche publicly promised to abandon the fund and rein in the tax immunity provisions.

During his 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 some experts viewed as weak. Blanche also defended Trump against criminal charges in two federal cases brought by the Biden administration's DOJ, an experience he said gave him insight into what he considers the weaponization of the justice system against Trump.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the confirmation, saying Republicans have “handed Trump an excuse on a silver platter” to continue his “pervasive, breathtaking misconduct.” Senator Collins expressed concerns about the DOJ becoming increasingly political and cited Blanche’s actions as reasons for her opposition.

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 vote makes Blanche the second confirmed attorney general since Trump returned to the White House last year with a stated aim to use the DOJ to investigate his political opponents.

Sources