The Senate confirmed acting Attorney General Todd Blanche as 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 all Democrats and two Republicans supporting his appointment. 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 They demanded that the Department of Justice (DOJ) provide written proof that the fund was rescinded and sought revisions to an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) settlement to clarify that audit immunity for former President Donald Trump and his family would not extend beyond the plaintiffs.

The DOJ submitted a written proposal to Cornyn on July 27, but Cornyn returned it, stating that the demands had not been fully 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 after former Attorney General Pam Bondi was dismissed by President Trump. His nomination faced criticism from over 1,200 former DOJ employees who argued that Blanche's actions have undermined the department's independence.

During his July 15 confirmation hearing, Cornyn questioned Blanche about the possibility of reviving the anti-weaponization fund. Meanwhile, 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