The US Senate narrowly confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general on Saturday, August 8th, 2026, in a 50–49 vote largely along party lines. Blanche, a close ally and former personal lawyer to President Donald Trump, becomes the second confirmed attorney general since Trump's return to the White House last year. The confirmation caps one of the most divisive cabinet fights of Trump's second term, with concerns raised by both Republicans and Democrats about Blanche's independence and the Justice Department's impartiality.

Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana cast the deciding vote in favor of Blanche, 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.”

Two Republican senators, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, opposed the nomination. Murkowski expressed concern over a nearly $2 billion "anti-weaponization fund" proposed by the department, which she said likely would have rewarded January 6 protesters. She warned that once the Senate vote concluded, the leverage to block the fund would end, leaving the future uncertain.

During his time as deputy and acting attorney general, Blanche accelerated investigations into Trump's perceived political opponents and announced a settlement creating the $1.8 billion fund to compensate individuals who felt mistreated by the criminal justice system. The settlement also provided Trump and his family with immunity from IRS tax audits, a point that drew criticism.

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.

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

Senator Collins, who is running for re-election, criticized Blanche for actions she said eroded the department’s independence, which was the basis for her opposition.

This confirmation is seen as a major win for Trump, who now has his former personal attorney leading the nation’s top law enforcement agency.

Sources