A narrow win
The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as U.S. attorney general in a 50-49 vote early Saturday morning. Blanche is President Trump's former personal attorney. He had been serving as acting attorney general since Pam Bondi was dismissed in April.
The vote came after weeks of uncertainty. All Democrats voted against Blanche. Republican senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski joined them. Senator Mitch McConnell was absent. The deciding support came from Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who announced his decision on Friday.
A rocky path to confirmation
Blanche's nomination faced resistance from both sides of the aisle. He drew criticism after celebrating a $1.8 billion settlement that he described as ending the “weaponization” of the Justice Department. Republicans who were skeptical of the president's control over the department questioned his independence.
Cassidy said the choice was not between a perfect candidate and Blanche, but between Blanche and another acting attorney general who might not run the department effectively. He called Blanche the better option.
What comes next
Blanche now heads the Justice Department, which employs more than 100,000 people. He was confirmed as deputy attorney general in March 2025 on a party-line vote. His promotion gives the president a loyal ally at the top of federal law enforcement as the midterm election campaign moves into its final months.
His tenure is expected to face close scrutiny from Democrats, who have accused the administration of bending the department to political ends. Blanche has promised to run the department independently while carrying out the president's agenda.