Key facts
- Todd Blanche has been confirmed as US Attorney General by the Senate.
- Senator Bill Cassidy provided the deciding vote for Blanche's confirmation.
- Blanche faced opposition from all Democrats and some Republicans.
- Concerns were raised regarding a $1.8bn 'anti-weaponization fund' and the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
- Blanche previously served as Donald Trump's personal attorney.
The US Senate has confirmed Todd Blanche as the nation's Attorney General, a significant appointment for Donald Trump, who will now have his former personal attorney leading the country's law enforcement.
The confirmation vote was narrow, with Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana casting the deciding vote in Blanche's favor. Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted against him, while all Democrats rejected his nomination.
Blanche's nomination had been stalled for weeks due to pushback from senators concerned about the Department of Justice's actions under his leadership. Key issues included a proposed $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponization fund' and tax immunity for the president and his sons. Senator Murkowski expressed concern that the pending nomination was the only reason the fund was off the table, fearing its revival after confirmation.
Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis ultimately supported Blanche after he provided written assurances that the fund would not proceed and clarified the scope of a deal with the IRS. Experts, however, deemed these assurances not entirely solid.
Further criticism arose from the department's handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related files, which contained redaction errors and exposed victims' private information. Blanche's initial refusal to meet with Epstein survivors, followed by a meeting where they reportedly received few answers, also drew scrutiny.
Blanche, who left a lucrative law partnership in 2023 to represent Trump, has been central to efforts to align the federal government with the president's agenda. His tenure has seen numerous career justice department attorneys depart, and department lawyers have faced judicial rebukes for misrepresentations in court.
Additionally, Blanche has been involved in using the Justice Department to pursue political rivals. Cases have been brought against former FBI director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and the Southern Poverty Law Center, which critics view as politically motivated. The department also attempted criminal charges against Democratic Senators Elissa Slotkin and Mark Kelly and sought leverage over former Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.
Blanche also reportedly promised anti-abortion advocates that the department would seek to make abortion restrictions permanent in every state.
Senator Collins stated her opposition was based on the increasing politicization of the Department of Justice and actions that have eroded its independence.
In April, Blanche expressed his commitment to serving President Trump, stating he did not seek the Attorney General position and would accept any other role offered.