The United States Senate confirmed acting Attorney General Todd Blanche as the next attorney general on Saturday, August 8, 2026, following a contentious nomination process marked by resistance from several Republican senators.

Blanche was confirmed by a 50-49 vote, with every Democrat and two Republicans supporting his nomination. Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis initially hesitated to back Blanche due to concerns over a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund. They demanded that the Department of Justice (DOJ) provide written proof that the fund was rescinded and sought revisions to an Internal Revenue Service settlement to limit audit immunity for former President Donald Trump and his family.

The DOJ submitted a written proposal to Cornyn on July 27, but Cornyn rejected it, arguing that the demands were not fully met. This disagreement delayed the Senate Judiciary Committee markup originally scheduled for July 30, which was postponed by chairman Chuck Grassley until a deal was reached.

Blanche assumed the role of acting attorney general on April 2, 2026, after former Attorney General Pam Bondi was fired by then-President Trump. His nomination faced opposition from more than 1,200 former DOJ employees who argued that Blanche's actions had undermined the department's independence.

During his July 15 confirmation hearing, Cornyn questioned Blanche about the possibility of reviving the fund, reflecting ongoing concerns among some senators.

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

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

Sources