The U.S. Senate confirmed acting Attorney General Todd Blanche as the next Attorney General on Saturday, August 8, 2026, by a vote of 50-49. Every Democrat and two Republicans supported Blanche’s confirmation, despite initial resistance from GOP senators including John Cornyn and Thom Tillis.

Cornyn and Tillis had expressed concerns over a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund and demanded that the Department of Justice (DOJ) provide written proof that the fund was rescinded. They also 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. Although the DOJ sent a written proposal to Cornyn on July 27, he returned it, arguing that his demands were not fully met.

The Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Chuck Grassley had scheduled a markup session for July 30 but postponed it due to the lack of agreement between Cornyn and Blanche. Eventually, Cornyn and Tillis reached a deal with Blanche and voted to advance his nomination out of the committee.

Blanche became acting Attorney General on April 2, 2026, following the dismissal of former Attorney General Pam Bondi by then-President Trump. His nomination faced opposition from more than 1,200 former DOJ employees who argued that Blanche’s actions have eroded the department’s independence.

Additionally, Representative Ruben Gallego announced he would miss several votes on Thursday, August 6, 2026, to attend to a family emergency.

Sources