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, ending a prolonged standoff with Senate Republicans. The confirmation vote took place overnight on Saturday, August 8th, 2026, resulting in a 50-49 decision.

Two Republican senators, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, joined all Democrats in opposing Blanche's nomination. The deciding vote was cast by Senator Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican known for his past acrimony with Trump, who had voted to convict Trump during his second impeachment in 2021 over the January 6 Capitol riot.

Concerns among 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 "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 Congress. Blanche pledged to walk back the fund following pushback during his confirmation hearings.

Senator Collins also expressed reservations 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.

After the vote, Blanche stated he was "deeply honoured by the trust and confidence President Trump has placed in me."

Notable Quotes

  • "Deeply honoured by the trust and confidence President Trump has placed in me."
  • "This is not a referendum on President Trump, it is a decision regarding Mr Blanche, in very specific circumstances."
  • "All considered, I will vote for Mr Blanche."
  • "Check the worst impulses of this administration."
  • "Greater leverage to push for things that should be pushed for."

Sources