On Saturday, August 8th, 2026, the US Senate narrowly confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general, delivering a major win for Donald Trump. Blanche, a former personal lawyer to Trump, will now lead the Department of Justice. The Republican-led Senate voted 50-49 in favor of Blanche, with every Democrat opposing the nomination. Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana cast the deciding vote, while Republicans Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted against him.

Blanche had been serving as acting attorney general prior to the confirmation, with his nomination delayed for several weeks. He faced criticism from some Republican senators over the 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 defended his vote, stating, “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.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned the confirmation, accusing Senate Republicans of enabling Trump to continue his "pervasive, breathtaking misconduct." He also highlighted concerns about the nearly $2 billion fund, which he said might have rewarded January 6 protesters, noting it remains off the table only because the nomination was pending and the Senate held leverage.

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.

Senator Susan Collins, who is seeking re-election in Maine, expressed opposition to Blanche’s confirmation, saying, “While I believe Mr Blanche is a capable lawyer, the Department of Justice has become increasingly political. Mr Blanche has taken several actions that have further eroded the department’s independence, and that is the basis for my vote to oppose his confirmation.”