Senate confirms Todd Blanche as attorney general
The Senate voted to confirm Todd Blanche as the next attorney general early Saturday. Blanche's appointment is a win for the Trump administration after a tumultuous path to office.
The Senate voted to confirm Todd Blanche as the next attorney general early Saturday, capping a tumultuous path to office for President Trump's former personal attorney. Blanche's appointment is a win for the Trump administration, especially after a journey that saw some Republicans hold out at multiple stages of the process.
The pre-dawn vote was split 50-49, mostly along party lines. Every Democratic member present voted against the Trump nominee, joined by GOP Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins. Sen. Mitch McConnell was not present amid a lengthy health-related absence. Blanche has been serving in the role in an acting capacity since this spring and will now formally take over the post.
Blanche won over Republican defectors on the controversial $1.776 billion fund to pay out perceived victims of political weaponization, which he confirmed was dead. However, he's continued to face sharp criticism from survivors of Jeffrey Epstein, stemming from another controversy that threatened to derail his nomination.
Go Deeper
What was the final vote count for Todd Blanche's confirmation?
The vote was split 50-49, mostly along party lines.
Who voted against Todd Blanche's nomination?
Every Democratic member present voted against the Trump nominee, joined by GOP Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins.
What was the controversy surrounding the $1.776 billion fund?
The fund was to pay out perceived victims of political weaponization, but Todd Blanche confirmed it was dead, which helped him win over Republican defectors.
What is Todd Blanche's background?
Todd Blanche is President Trump's former personal attorney and has been serving as acting attorney general since this spring.
What are the implications of Todd Blanche's confirmation?
Blanche's confirmation represents the official start of an aggressive new era for the DOJ, with the department continuing its close alignment with the White House.
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