Senate Narrowly Confirms Todd Blanche as Attorney General in Early Saturday Vote

The Senate advanced Todd Blanche to the position of attorney general Saturday morning in a razor-thin 50-49 party-line vote, solidifying the placement of President Donald Trump’s longtime legal representative at the helm of the Justice Department. Blanche, who had been serving in an acting capacity, now holds the title permanently after the Republican-controlled chamber narrowly backed his nomination. The confirmation empowers him to pursue the administration’s legal priorities with fewer procedural constraints moving forward.

The confirmation battle proved exceptionally contentious, drawing objections not only from Democrats but also from two Republicans — Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska — who expressed grave reservations about installing Trump’s close associate in an agency traditionally insulated from presidential pressure. Murkowski cited concerns that Blanche would fail to restrain what she characterized as the administration’s worst impulses, while Collins similarly broke ranks with her party leadership.

Controversy centered on a disputed settlement agreement involving a proposed $1.8 billion compensation fund, which Blanche had initially championed to reimburse individuals who claimed mistreatment by the criminal justice system, including Capitol riot participants. Under pressure from Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Blanche formally rescinded the fund and pledged in writing to eliminate tax audit protections extended to Trump and his family members, clearing the way for committee advancement.

Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana emerged as the critical vote in Blanche’s favor Friday, announcing his support after determining no alternative candidate could more effectively manage the department under Trump’s leadership. Cassidy characterized the decision as specific to Blanche’s qualifications rather than an endorsement of broader presidential ambitions, noting the nominee’s prior experience as Trump’s criminal defense counsel could provide valuable perspective on legal boundaries.

Senate Democrats mounted strong opposition to the nomination. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, warned colleagues they would find themselves on the wrong side of history, arguing the nation requires an attorney general demonstrating independence and commitment to rooting out governmental corruption at every level.

Blanche’s career trajectory from federal prosecutor in New York to Trump’s primary legal strategist in multiple criminal proceedings positioned him as a controversial choice. His defense of Trump during the Manhattan hush money trial and the two federal cases initiated under the Biden administration established his prominence in Republican legal circles while generating skepticism among Democrats and some moderates.

Since assuming the acting role following Pam Bondi’s departure in April, Blanche moved swiftly to advance administration priorities, accelerating investigations into perceived adversaries and announcing the contentious settlement. His tenure has coincided with significant personnel losses at the department, with thousands of employees departing through terminations, resignations or voluntary exits.

Among recent actions, the Justice Department moved to indict former FBI Director James Comey on charges related to a social media post featuring seashells arranged numerically, a case Comey’s legal team is pressing to dismiss while accusing prosecutors of providing false statements to judges. Additionally, Blanche appointed former Reagan-era Justice Department official Joseph diGenova to oversee a Florida-based investigation into alleged conspiracies by law enforcement and intelligence officials against Trump over the past decade.