The United States Senate confirmed acting Attorney General Todd Blanche as the next attorney general on Saturday, August 8, 2026, by a narrow 50-49 vote. Every Democrat and two Republicans, including Maine Senator John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, voted in favor.

Cornyn and Tillis had initially hesitated to support 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 They demanded that the Department of Justice (DOJ) provide written proof that the fund was rescinded and required revisions to an Internal Revenue Service settlement to ensure audit immunity for former President Donald Trump and his family did not extend beyond the plaintiffs.

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

Blanche became acting attorney general on April 2 after Trump fired former Attorney General Pam Bondi. His nomination has been controversial, with over 1,200 former DOJ employees opposing it, citing actions they say have eroded the Department’s independence.

During his July 15 confirmation hearing, Cornyn questioned Blanche about the possibility of reviving the fund. Meanwhile, Representative Ruben Gallego announced he would miss a few votes on Thursday, August 6, to be with his wife during an emergency.

The Senate’s confirmation of Blanche follows a contentious process marked by GOP holdouts and concerns about the DOJ’s direction under his leadership.

Sources