The U.S. Senate confirmed acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to be the next Attorney General on Saturday, August 8th, 2026, following a contentious nomination process marked by opposition from several 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 package. They demanded that the Department of Justice (DOJ) provide written proof that the fund was rescinded and sought revisions to an IRS settlement to limit audit immunity for former President Donald Trump and his family.

The DOJ submitted a written proposal to Cornyn on July 27th, but Cornyn returned it, stating that the demands had not been met. This disagreement delayed the Senate Judiciary Committee markup originally scheduled for July 30th, as Chairman Chuck Grassley postponed it until a deal was reached.

Blanche, who became acting Attorney General on April 2nd after Trump fired former Attorney General Pam Bondi, faced criticism for actions perceived to have eroded the DOJ's independence. More than 1,200 former DOJ employees opposed his nomination, arguing that he undermined the institution.

During Blanche's July 15th confirmation hearing, Cornyn questioned whether the anti-weaponization fund could be revived, highlighting ongoing concerns.

Additionally, Representative Ruben Gallego announced he would miss several votes on Thursday, August 6th, 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