Todd Blanche, the former personal attorney to President Donald Trump, has been confirmed by the United States Senate as the nation’s attorney general following a narrow 50-49 vote, according to reporting by BBC News. The confirmation brings an end to a prolonged standoff between Senate Republicans and the Trump administration over the nomination, which had placed Blanche in an acting capacity since April.
Senate Confirmation and Voting Breakdown
According to BBC News, Blanche won confirmation overnight as two Republican senators—Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski—joined all Democrats to oppose his nomination. Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy cast the deciding vote, a move that drew intense scrutiny in Washington given the years of acrimony between the senator and Trump. Following the tally, Blanche stated that he was “deeply honoured by the trust and confidence President Trump has placed in me”.
Key Controversies During Hearings
During confirmation hearings detailed by BBC News, several Republican senators raised sharp concerns regarding Blanche’s past actions. Lawmakers questioned his handling of the release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein and his involvement in establishing a $1.8bn (£1.3bn) “anti-weaponisation” fund. Critics, including Senator Murkowski, feared the fund would direct compensation toward individuals prosecuted for participating in the 6 January attack on Congress in 2021. Under pressure from Republican senators, Blanche eventually pledged to walk back the fund, though questions remained regarding whether the commitment was legally binding or if a similar scheme could return under a different name.
Republican Opposition and Concerns
Senator Murkowski announced her opposition, citing a lack of confidence in Blanche to “check the worst impulses of this administration” and pointing to potential “politicisation” of the justice department, according to BBC News. Senator Collins similarly raised objections concerning Blanche’s role in settling Trump’s $10bn lawsuit with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Despite those misgivings, Collins said she ultimately trusted Blanche to give the president candid legal advice.
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