The U.S. Senate confirmed acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to be the next Attorney General on Saturday, August 8, 2026, following a contentious nomination process marked by opposition from some Republican senators.

Blanche was confirmed by a 50-49 vote, with every Democrat and two Republicans supporting him. 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 They demanded that the Department of Justice (DOJ) provide written proof that the fund was rescinded and sought revisions to an IRS settlement to limit audit immunity for former President Donald Trump and his family.

Although the DOJ sent a written proposal to Cornyn on July 27, Cornyn returned it, arguing that his demands had not been met. This disagreement delayed the Senate Judiciary Committee's markup 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 Trump fired former Attorney General Pam Bondi. His nomination faced criticism from over 1,200 former DOJ employees who argued that Blanche had undermined the department's independence.

During his July 15 confirmation hearing, Cornyn questioned Blanche about the possibility of reviving the disputed fund. Meanwhile, Representative Ruben Gallego announced he would miss several votes to attend 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