On Saturday, August 8th, 2026, the US Senate narrowly confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general in a 50-49 vote, delivering a major win for former President Donald Trump. Blanche, who had been serving as acting attorney general, is a former personal lawyer to Trump and will now officially lead the nation's law enforcement.

Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana cast the deciding vote in favor of Blanche after two Republican senators, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, voted against the nomination. Every Democrat opposed Blanche’s confirmation.

Blanche’s nomination faced criticism, particularly from Republican senators, over the Justice Department’s agreement to establish a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund" and to grant tax immunity to Trump, his sons, and his businesses. Cassidy acknowledged Blanche’s imperfections but argued the alternative could be less effective under President Trump.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned the confirmation, stating that Senate Republicans had "handed Trump an excuse on a silver platter" to continue what he described as "pervasive, breathtaking misconduct."

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 some experts consider weak.

Additionally, Justice Department spokesperson Kelly criticized Blanche for meeting secretly with Ghislane Maxwell before her transfer to a minimum-security prison camp, emphasizing that the attorney general should serve the American people rather than the president’s agenda.

Sources