Washington D.C. – The United States Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as President Donald Trump’s Attorney General Saturday morning, securing his permanent leadership of the Justice Department after a closely contested confirmation process. The vote, a razor-thin 50-49, saw two Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, join all Democratic senators in opposing the nomination.
"a vote for Todd Blanche is a vote for the safety of the American people." — Chuck Grassley, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman (R-IO)
Blanche, 51, has been serving as acting Attorney General since April, when President Trump promoted him from Deputy Attorney General following the departure of Pam Bondi. His elevation to the top legal post in the nation marks a significant victory for the President, providing him with a confirmed Attorney General for the remainder of his term.
The path to confirmation for Blanche was fraught with challenges, primarily stemming from concerns raised by senators, including members of his own party, regarding the Justice Department's conduct under his acting leadership. Key issues included the department's handling of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and a controversial settlement involving President Trump and the Internal Revenue Service.
During his tenure as acting Attorney General, a May 19 Justice Department order authorized the creation of a $1.776 billion "anti-weaponization" fund and granted President Trump, his family, and business entities immunity from IRS audits as part of the settlement of a lawsuit President Trump filed against the agency. This order, first reported by the New York Post, drew considerable scrutiny from lawmakers.
At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on July 15, Blanche sought to address these concerns, declaring the proposed fund "dead." However, his assurances did not immediately satisfy Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who demanded written confirmation that the fund would not proceed and sought clarification on whether President Trump and his family would be protected from future IRS audits. These concerns were significant enough to delay the confirmation vote. Blanche eventually moved closer to confirmation after rescinding the controversial fund, according to the New York Post.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, actively championed Blanche's nomination. Speaking ahead of the final vote, Grassley emphasized Blanche's qualifications and leadership. “Mr. Blanche is nominated to one of the most important offices in our country, and he has shown that he’s up to that task,” Grassley stated. He added, “His impressive background and the presentation at our hearing in the Judiciary Committee are proof that he’s led the Justice Department with distinction and is well suited to continue doing that.” Grassley concluded his remarks by declaring, “a vote for Todd Blanche is a vote for the safety of the American people.”
Despite endorsements from Republican leadership, the final Senate vote remained precarious. With Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, a Republican, absent due to ongoing health issues, Blanche could afford to lose only two Republican votes. Senators Murkowski and Collins ultimately became those two defections. Both cited concerns about the Epstein files and the Trump-IRS settlement, alongside what they characterized as increasing politicization within the Justice Department.
The critical deciding vote ultimately rested with Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, a Republican, whose relationship with President Trump has been complex. Senator Cassidy had voted to convict President Trump during his second impeachment trial in 2021 and had recently lost his Republican primary after President Trump endorsed his opponent. Cassidy also openly voiced criticism of Blanche prior to announcing his vote, accusing him of "poor judgment" for approving the anti-weaponization fund and the IRS audit exemption for the President. He also raised concerns about the Justice Department potentially targeting President Trump’s political opponents.
Despite these significant objections, Senator Cassidy ultimately announced his support for the President’s nominee. “I will vote for Mr. Blanche,” Cassidy stated ahead of Saturday’s confirmation. This decision provided Blanche with the necessary support to secure one of the closest confirmation votes of President Trump’s second administration.
Blanche, a Colorado native, previously served as President Trump’s personal attorney, representing him in several high-profile legal battles. President Trump later appointed him as Deputy Attorney General before elevating him to acting Attorney General on April 2. His permanent confirmation concludes a challenging process, allowing him to lead the Department of Justice on a stable, long-term basis, while also underscoring ongoing internal party discussions regarding the department's direction.
