Washington — Early on Saturday, August 8, 2026, the U.S. Senate confirmed Todd Blanche, President Trump's former defense lawyer, as the nation's attorney general in a tight 50-49 vote. Blanche's confirmation installs him as the top law enforcement official in the country.

The vote saw Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska join all Democrats in opposing Blanche's nomination. His path to confirmation was cleared the previous day 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 provide payouts to individuals alleging they were wronged by the federal government. During his June confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Blanche stated that 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 allege efforts to subvert the transfer of presidential power after the 2020 election and concerns regarding the handling of sensitive government documents after Trump's first term.

Supporters view Blanche's confirmation as "a huge win for President Trump and our country," emphasizing his "unwavering commitment to law and order." Critics, however, highlight concerns about actions that have "further eroded the Department's independence."

Sources