Washington — Early on Saturday, August 8, 2026, the Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general, narrowly approving the former defense lawyer for President Trump in a 50-49 vote. Blanche's confirmation installs him as the head of the Justice Department.

The vote saw Republicans Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska join all Democrats in opposing Blanche's nomination. His path to confirmation cleared the day before when Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy announced his support.

Blanche faced significant opposition during his confirmation process, particularly over the Justice Department's creation of a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund designed to compensate individuals who alleged they were wronged by the federal government. During his June confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Blanche stated the fund was "dead" and that the department was "not moving forward" with the program amid strong pushback from lawmakers.

In a social media post following the vote, Blanche expressed gratitude, saying he was "deeply honored by the trust and confidence President Trump has placed in me to lead the Department of Justice."

The confirmation comes as President Trump faces multiple legal challenges, including a criminal case in New York state court related to a $130,000 "hush money" payment made before the 2016 election, and two federal cases brought by former special counsel Jack Smith. These federal cases involve allegations of efforts to subvert the transfer of presidential power after the 2020 election and mishandling of sensitive government documents.

Supporters of Blanche argue that "the American people will be well served by his unwavering commitment to law and order," while critics warn of "several actions that have further eroded the Department's independence."

President Trump called the confirmation "a huge win for President Trump and our country."

Sources