Todd Blanche has been confirmed as U.S. attorney general after the Senate approved his nomination in a narrow 50-49 overnight vote, giving President Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer permanent control of the Justice Department.
According to a report by PBS NewsHour, the confirmation followed a contentious battle in which several Republican senators questioned Blanche’s independence and his handling of a controversial settlement involving Trump and the Internal Revenue Service.
What Happened
The Republican-led Senate confirmed Blanche early Saturday morning after weeks of uncertainty surrounding his nomination.
The 50-49 vote came after Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana announced his support on Friday, effectively clearing the final hurdle for Blanche. Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted against him, while Democrats unanimously opposed the nomination.
Blanche had already been serving as acting attorney general after Trump removed Pam Bondi from the position in April. His confirmation now gives him the permanent authority of the nation’s top law enforcement official.
Blanche said he was honored by Trump’s confidence and grateful to senators who worked late to complete the confirmation vote.
Why Todd Blanche’s Confirmation Was Controversial
Blanche’s nomination faced unusually strong resistance from some Republicans because of his handling of a settlement connected to Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS.
The Justice Department had proposed a roughly $1.8 billion compensation fund that was intended to compensate people who claimed they had been mistreated by the criminal justice system. Critics raised concerns that the arrangement could benefit Trump allies, including people who participated in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
The settlement also included provisions that would have provided Trump and members of his family protection from certain IRS tax audits.
Under pressure from Republican senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Blanche agreed in writing to abandon the compensation fund and limit the tax-audit provisions.
That concession helped secure enough Republican support for his nomination to advance through the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The dispute illustrates the broader tension surrounding Trump’s second-term Justice Department, particularly over questions about executive authority and the independence of federal law enforcement.
Republican Support and Opposition
Sen. Bill Cassidy became the decisive Republican vote for Blanche after initially expressing concerns about the nominee.
Cassidy argued that Blanche’s previous experience as Trump’s criminal defense lawyer could actually make him more effective at explaining legal limits to the president.
“This is not a referendum on President Trump,” Cassidy said, arguing that the Senate was making a decision about Blanche under specific circumstances.
However, Murkowski said the country needs an attorney general capable of checking what she described as the administration’s worst impulses.
Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, also strongly opposed the nomination, calling confirmation a serious mistake and arguing that the country needs an attorney general committed to fighting corruption even when it involves the executive branch.
The split among Republicans was notable because the GOP holds the Senate majority, meaning only a small number of Republican defections could have blocked Blanche’s confirmation.
Blanche’s Background and Relationship With Trump
Before joining the Justice Department, Blanche was a federal prosecutor in New York and later became one of Trump’s most prominent defense attorneys.
He represented Trump during the former president’s New York hush-money trial and defended him in two federal criminal cases brought during the Biden administration.
Blanche joined the Justice Department as deputy attorney general under Pam Bondi, where he became involved in the agency’s day-to-day operations and several high-profile matters.
His close relationship with Trump has been central to both his rise and the criticism surrounding his appointment.
Democrats have argued that Blanche has placed loyalty to Trump ahead of the Justice Department’s traditional independence. Supporters, meanwhile, say his experience as both a federal prosecutor and Trump’s attorney gives him a unique understanding of the legal boundaries surrounding presidential authority.
The confirmation comes as Trump continues reshaping federal law enforcement, including immigration enforcement and investigations involving individuals the president has identified as political opponents. Readers following the administration’s broader legal agenda can also review the constitutional challenge to the Alien Terrorist Removal Act, another major legal issue involving the Trump administration.
What Happens Next for the Justice Department
With Todd Blanche confirmed, the Justice Department now has a permanent attorney general who is closely aligned with the president.
Republicans have highlighted Blanche’s record on violent crime, illegal immigration, drug trafficking and cartel enforcement. At the same time, Democrats and some Republicans remain concerned about whether he can maintain sufficient independence from the White House.
Blanche’s tenure will also be closely watched because the Justice Department has pursued investigations involving Trump’s perceived political opponents, including former FBI Director James Comey.
The department has also launched a Florida-based investigation into whether former law enforcement and intelligence officials worked together to undermine Trump. It remains uncertain whether that investigation will result in criminal charges.
The broader direction of the Trump administration will continue to shape Blanche’s role. His confirmation follows other major moves by the president to restructure federal policy and strengthen control over his administration, including recent developments discussed in Trump’s Cabinet meeting at Camp David.
Why Todd Blanche’s Confirmation Matters
Todd Blanche’s confirmation gives Trump a permanent attorney general after months of uncertainty at the Justice Department.
The narrow 50-49 vote also demonstrated that Blanche’s nomination remained controversial even within the Republican Party. His ability to balance Trump’s priorities with the Justice Department’s institutional independence will likely remain one of the defining questions of his tenure.
For the Trump administration, the confirmation removes a major leadership uncertainty at the Justice Department and puts a trusted presidential ally formally in charge of the agency as it pursues the administration’s law enforcement priorities.
Yes. The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general in a 50-49 vote early Saturday, August 8, 2026.
His close relationship with Trump and his handling of a proposed $1.8 billion compensation fund raised concerns among Democrats and some Republican senators.