The U.S. Senate confirmed acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to be the next Attorney General on August 8, 2026, following a contentious nomination process marked by opposition from several Republican senators. The final confirmation vote was 50-49, with all Democrats and two Republicans supporting Blanche.

Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis initially hesitated to back Blanche due to concerns over a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization package. They demanded that the Department of Justice (DOJ) provide written proof that the fund was rescinded and sought revisions to an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) settlement to limit audit immunity for former President Donald Trump and his family strictly to the plaintiffs involved.

The DOJ submitted a written proposal to Cornyn on July 27, but Cornyn rejected it, stating the demands had not been met. This disagreement delayed the Senate Judiciary Committee's markup, originally scheduled for July 30 by Chairman Chuck Grassley, until a deal was reached. Eventually, Cornyn and Tillis agreed to advance Blanche's nomination out of the committee.

Blanche has been serving as acting Attorney General since April 2, 2026, after former Attorney General Pam Bondi was fired by then-President Trump. His nomination faced opposition from over 1,200 former DOJ employees who argued that Blanche's actions had undermined the Department's independence.

During Blanche's confirmation hearing on July 15, Cornyn questioned him about the possibility of reviving the anti-weaponization fund. Meanwhile, Representative Ruben Gallego announced he would miss several votes due to a family emergency.

Despite the opposition and delays, Blanche's confirmation marks a significant development in the leadership of the Department of Justice.

Sources