Trump’s Former Lawyer Todd Blanche Confirmed as US Attorney General in Narrow 50 49 Senate Vote.

Trump’s Former Lawyer Todd Blanche Confirmed as US Attorney General in Narrow 50 49 Senate Vote.

The United States Senate has confirmed Todd Blanche, a former personal lawyer to President Donald Trump, as the country’s Attorney General after a closely contested 50 49 vote early Saturday.

Blanche’s confirmation places a longtime Trump legal ally at the helm of the U.S. Department of Justice, giving the president a trusted figure to lead the nation’s principal federal law enforcement agency at a time of heightened political and legal scrutiny.

The confirmation followed weeks of uncertainty over Blanche’s nomination and intense opposition from Democrats, alongside reservations from some Republican senators over his record and his relationship with the president. The vote was held during an overnight Senate session ahead of the chamber’s August recess. The Associated Press reported that Republican Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joined Democrats in opposing Blanche, while Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana ultimately provided crucial support.

Blanche previously served as Trump’s personal attorney in several high profile criminal cases before joining the Justice Department as Deputy Attorney General. He became Acting Attorney General in April 2026 following the departure of Pam Bondi and was formally nominated by Trump for the permanent position in June. The White House subsequently sent his nomination to the Senate for consideration.

His confirmation hearing in July exposed sharp disagreements over the future direction and independence of the Justice Department. Democratic senators questioned whether Blanche would be willing to challenge Trump when necessary and raised concerns about the department’s handling of politically sensitive investigations and cases. Senator Alex Padilla, among Blanche’s most vocal critics, argued during the hearing that his close relationship with Trump raised questions about his suitability for the position.

One of the major controversies surrounding Blanche’s confirmation involved a proposed Justice Department “anti weaponization” fund connected to a settlement between Trump and the Internal Revenue Service. Critics argued that the arrangement could have provided financial benefits to Trump allies, including people prosecuted over the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, while also providing broad tax-related protections for Trump and members of his family.

The controversy threatened to derail Blanche’s confirmation, particularly after Republican senators raised concerns about the arrangement. Blanche later provided assurances that the controversial fund would not be reinstated, helping to secure support from key Republican senators.

Despite the opposition, supporters of Blanche have argued that his prosecutorial and legal experience makes him qualified to lead the Justice Department. The department has also received public backing for his confirmation from law-enforcement officials, while Republican lawmakers have described him as capable of strengthening federal efforts against violent crime, gangs and transnational criminal organisations.

Blanche now takes permanent control of the Justice Department amid an ongoing national debate over the department’s independence from the White House. His tenure is expected to face close scrutiny over the balance between implementing the administration’s priorities and maintaining the traditional institutional independence of federal law enforcement.

The narrow vote underscores the political divisions surrounding Blanche’s appointment and signals that his leadership of the Justice Department is likely to remain a major point of contention throughout the Trump administration.