Todd Blanche, a former personal attorney for US President Donald Trump, has been confirmed as the nation's attorney general following a narrow 50-49 vote in the Senate. The confirmation concludes a prolonged standoff between the Trump administration and Senate lawmakers regarding the appointment of Blanche, who had been serving as the acting attorney general since April. He assumed the interim leadership role after the firing of Pam Bondi, having previously served as deputy attorney general.
The confirmation vote saw a notable split, with all Democrats and two Republican senators—Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski—voting against the nomination. Senator Bill Cassidy provided the deciding vote in favor of Blanche. This decision was closely monitored in Washington due to the history of friction between the Louisiana Republican and the president. During the 2021 second impeachment proceedings, Cassidy voted to convict Trump for his role in the 6 January Capitol riot. Following that vote, Trump successfully backed a primary challenger against Cassidy, forcing him into retirement earlier this year.
Explaining his decision on Friday, Cassidy stated that he believed Blanche was the strongest candidate the president would present. While acknowledging that Trump holds ultimate authority over the Justice Department's direction, Cassidy argued that Senate confirmation would provide Blanche with the necessary leverage to advocate for appropriate actions. He emphasized that his vote was not a referendum on the president, but a specific decision regarding the nominee.
Concerns surrounding the nomination were largely driven by the potential politicization of the Justice Department. Senator Murkowski, who announced her opposition on Friday, expressed a lack of confidence in Blanche’s ability to act as a check on the administration's impulses. Much of the controversy centered on a proposed fund intended to compensate individuals claiming government persecution. Critics, including Murkowski, feared the fund could benefit those prosecuted for their involvement in the 6 January 2021 attack on Congress. Although Blanche pledged to walk back the scheme during his confirmation hearings, questions remain regarding the legal enforceability of that commitment and whether the president might later pressure him to revive it.
Senator Collins also voiced reservations regarding Blanche’s involvement in settling a $10bn lawsuit between Trump and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Despite these concerns, she noted her belief that Blanche would provide the president with candid legal advice. Following the successful vote, Blanche expressed that he was deeply honored by the trust and confidence placed in him by President Trump. Blanche previously served as Trump's lead lawyer during his 2024 hush-money case.
