After weeks of uncertainty and a rare bipartisan pushback effort, the Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as U.S. attorney general early Saturday morning, elevating President Trump’s former personal defense lawyer to lead the Justice Department.
Quick Answer
The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general by a narrow 50-49 vote after 4 a.m. Saturday, with all Democrats opposed along with two Republicans, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. Blanche, who previously served as Trump’s personal attorney and most recently as acting attorney general, secured the votes he needed after Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy announced his support Friday, following written assurances that the Justice Department’s controversial Anti-Weaponization Fund would not move forward.
Key Takeaways
- Blanche was confirmed 50-49, with Collins and Murkowski the only Republicans voting no alongside every Democrat.
- Sen. Mitch McConnell was absent from the vote; the session was gaveled down at 4:31 a.m.
- Cassidy’s Friday announcement of support effectively locked in the votes needed for confirmation.
- Blanche’s nomination had been thrown into doubt after Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis withheld support pending written commitments that the $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund was dead.
- Blanche becomes the nation’s 88th attorney general, having served as acting attorney general since April after Trump removed predecessor Pam Bondi.
- Murkowski and Collins both cited concerns about DOJ independence, including handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files and the scope of protections granted to the president and his family.
Why the Confirmation Was in Doubt
Blanche’s path to confirmation wasn’t a straightforward party-line process. Two Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Cornyn and Tillis — both of whom are leaving Congress — held up the committee’s vote until they received written assurances that the Anti-Weaponization Fund, created as part of a settlement between Trump and the IRS over his leaked tax returns, would not proceed. Blanche had previously offered only a verbal commitment, which wasn’t enough for the two senators given the fund’s controversial mandate to compensate people who claimed the federal government had targeted them politically.
That standoff delayed committee action and put Blanche’s nomination in real jeopardy before the written assurances were finally delivered, clearing the way for a floor vote.
Why Collins and Murkowski Voted No
Both dissenting Republicans laid out detailed reasoning for opposing the nomination. Collins said in a statement that while she considers Blanche a capable lawyer, she believes the Department of Justice has become increasingly political under the current administration. Murkowski cited a broader list of concerns, including the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, what she described as sweeping immunity protections for the president and his family’s businesses, and a pattern of targeting individuals ranging from former administration staff to sitting senators. She said the country needs an attorney general willing to check the administration’s worst impulses, adding she wasn’t confident Blanche would fill that role.
What Cassidy’s Support Changed
Blanche’s confirmation had appeared genuinely uncertain until Senator Bill Cassidy announced his support in a Friday floor speech. With Collins and Murkowski already signaling opposition, Cassidy’s vote was enough to secure the narrow majority Blanche needed, and the final tally reflected exactly that math: 50 in favor, 49 opposed, with McConnell absent.
What Happens Next
Blanche takes over full leadership of a department with more than 100,000 employees and a budget exceeding $37 billion, having already been running it in an acting capacity since the spring. His formal confirmation ends the immediate uncertainty, but the concerns raised by Collins, Murkowski, and Democratic senators like Adam Schiff about his independence from the White House are likely to remain a recurring theme as his tenure unfolds.
FAQ
Why was Todd Blanche’s confirmation vote so close?
Two Republican senators, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, voted against him over concerns about Justice Department independence, and his nomination was previously stalled by other Republicans demanding written commitments on a controversial department fund.
What is the Anti-Weaponization Fund that delayed the vote?
It’s a $1.8 billion fund created as part of a settlement between Trump and the IRS over his leaked tax returns, intended to compensate people who alleged the federal government had been used against them politically. Its future was a key sticking point in Blanche’s confirmation.
What role did Todd Blanche have before this confirmation?
Blanche previously served as Trump’s personal defense attorney and most recently as acting attorney general since April, after Trump removed his predecessor, Pam Bondi.
Sources
- The Washington Post — Todd Blanche Confirmed as Attorney General in Narrow Senate Vote
- NPR — Senate Votes to Confirm Todd Blanche as Attorney General
- NBC News — Senate Confirms Todd Blanche as Attorney General After Weeks of Uncertainty
- ABC News — Senate Votes to Confirm Todd Blanche as Attorney General
- The Hill — Senate Confirms Todd Blanche as Attorney General After Bruising Fight
This article is for general information and reflects reporting available at the time of publication.
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The Wall Street Sights Staff desk covers U.S. domestic news, public health, and policy stories relevant to American readers and their finances.
