US President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, Todd Blanche, has been narrowly confirmed as the United States attorney general, the nation's top law enforcement official, following a 50-49 Senate vote on Saturday, August 8th, 2026.

The confirmation concluded a lengthy standoff between Senate Republicans and the Trump administration. Blanche had been serving as acting attorney general since April 2026. Two Republican senators, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, joined all Democrats in opposing his nomination. The deciding vote was cast by Senator Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican whose decision was closely watched due to his past acrimony with Trump.

Blanche expressed gratitude after the vote, stating he was "deeply honoured by the trust and confidence President Trump has placed in me."

Concerns raised by some Republican senators included Blanche's handling of the release of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents and his involvement in establishing Trump's $1.8 billion (approximately £1.3 billion) "anti-weaponisation" fund. This fund was intended to compensate individuals alleging government persecution, but critics, including Murkowski, feared it might benefit those prosecuted for participating in the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Congress. Blanche pledged to walk back the fund following pushback during his confirmation hearings.

Additionally, Collins voiced worries about Blanche's role in settling Trump's $10 billion lawsuit with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), but ultimately trusted him to provide candid legal advice to the president.

During Trump's second impeachment trial in 2021, Cassidy voted to convict Trump over the January 6 Capitol riot.

Notable Quotes

  • Blanche: "deeply honoured by the trust and confidence President Trump has placed in me"
  • Senator supporting Blanche: "All considered, I will vote for Mr Blanche."
  • On Blanche's role: "check the worst impulses of this administration"
  • On the confirmation decision: "This is not a referendum on President Trump, it is a decision regarding Mr Blanche, in very specific circumstances."

Sources