On Saturday, August 8, 2026, the US Senate confirmed Todd Blanche, former personal lawyer to President Donald Trump, as the new US attorney general. The confirmation vote was narrowly decided at 50 to 49, with Senate Republicans supporting Blanche despite opposition from Democrats.

Blanche had been serving as acting attorney general since April, after Trump dismissed Pam Bondi, another political loyalist. Prior to his government role, Blanche represented Trump as a private attorney in multiple criminal trials.

Democrats have consistently opposed Blanche's appointment, accusing the Trump administration of politicizing the Department of Justice. Senator Dick Durbin, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, stated on Tuesday, "The attorney general is supposed to be the people's lawyer. Mr Blanche continues to operate as the president's personal lawyer, treating the Justice Department like a law firm serving one client -- the president."

A major point of contention during the confirmation was Blanche's attempt to establish a $1.8 billion fund aimed at what Trump describes as victims of politicized prosecutions. This fund likely includes the January 6, 2021, Capitol rioters who attempted to prevent Joe Biden's certification as president following the 2020 election.

Blanche was also part of Trump's legal defense team in two federal cases brought by special counsel Jack Smith, concerning alleged mishandling of classified documents after Trump's White House tenure and efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Both cases were dropped after Trump's victory in the 2024 presidential election.

Trump has praised Blanche as a "star," reflecting his broader efforts to bring independent government agencies under his direct influence.

Sources