On Saturday, August 8th, 2026, the US Senate narrowly confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general in a 50-49 vote, marking a significant victory for former President Donald Trump. Blanche, who previously served as Trump's personal lawyer, had been acting attorney general before his confirmation. Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana cast the deciding vote in favor of Blanche after Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska opposed the nomination. Every Democrat voted against Blanche.

Blanche's confirmation followed weeks of uncertainty and faced opposition from some Republican senators due to the Justice Department's controversial $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund" and provisions granting tax immunity to Trump, his sons, and his businesses. Cassidy acknowledged Blanche's imperfections but argued the alternative might be less effective under President Trump.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized 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 his tenure as deputy and acting attorney general, Blanche's department indicted former FBI director James Comey twice, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and the Southern Poverty Law Center, cases experts consider weak. Additionally, Blanche faced scrutiny for secretly meeting with Ghislane Maxwell before her transfer to a minimum-security prison camp.

Kelly, a critic, emphasized that "The Attorney General should serve the American people, not the president’s wish list."

Sources