US Senate Confirms Todd Blanche as Attorney General in Narrow Vote

The United States Senate has confirmed Todd Blanche, President Donald Trump’s former personal defense attorney, as the country’s next Attorney General in a 50–49 vote along party lines.

Blanche, who had been filling the role in an acting capacity since April following the departure of former Attorney General Pam Bondi, secured the nomination after Senate Republicans resolved internal party holdouts regarding executive proposals tied to his nomination.

To address concerns among key Republican lawmakers, Blanche issued a written order scrapping a proposed $1.8 billion fund intended for individuals who claimed to be targets of politicized prosecutions. He also clarified that a proposed tax audit immunity agreement involving President Trump, his eldest sons, and the Trump Organization would apply only retroactively to past tax years rather than future filings.

Senate Democrats strongly opposed the nomination, expressing concern over the independence of the Department of Justice.

“The attorney general is supposed to be the people’s lawyer,” said Senator Dick Durbin, ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee. “Mr. Blanche continues to operate as the president’s personal lawyer, treating the Justice Department like a law firm serving one client.”

Prior to his appointment to the Department of Justice, Blanche represented Trump in high-profile legal matters, including the New York trial concerning hush money payments, as well as federal cases brought by special counsel Jack Smith regarding classified documents and the 2020 presidential election results, both of which were dismissed following the 2024 presidential election.