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Senate Confirms Todd Blanche as Attorney General in Narrow 50-49 Vote/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ She Senate narrowly confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general in a 50-49 overnight vote, placing Trump’s former criminal defense lawyer permanently in charge of the Justice Department. Two Republicans joined every Democrat in opposition amid concerns about Blanche’s loyalty to Trump, investigations of political opponents and a controversial IRS settlement. Blanche secured the decisive vote after promising to abandon a $1.8 billion compensation fund and narrow tax audit protections for Trump and his family.

Quick Look

• The Senate confirmed Blanche in a 50-49 vote.
• The vote occurred early Saturday.
• Blanche becomes Trump’s second confirmed attorney general of his second term.
• He had already been leading the Justice Department in an acting role.
• Republican Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski opposed him.
• Every Senate Democrat voted against confirmation.
• Sen. Bill Cassidy supplied the decisive vote.
• Blanche previously served as Trump’s criminal defense attorney.
• Trump appointed him acting attorney general after firing Pam Bondi.
• A controversial IRS settlement threatened Blanche’s confirmation.
• Blanche promised to abandon a proposed $1.8 billion compensation fund.
• The fund could have benefited Trump allies, including Jan. 6 defendants.
• The Justice Department also narrowed tax audit protections for Trump.
• Democrats accuse Blanche of using the department against Trump’s opponents.
• Republicans praise his work on crime, immigration and drug cartels.
• Blanche has overseen investigations involving James Comey and other Trump adversaries.

Deep Look

Senate Confirms Blanche in 50-49 Vote

WASHINGTON — The Senate narrowly confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general early Saturday, placing President Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer permanently in charge of the Justice Department.

The Republican-controlled Senate approved the nomination 50-49.

Blanche becomes Trump’s second Senate-confirmed attorney general since the president returned to office in 2025.

Confirmation Strengthens Blanche’s Authority

Blanche had already been running the department as acting attorney general.

Senate confirmation removes the temporary nature of his position and could give him greater authority to implement Trump’s law enforcement agenda.

Trump returned to the White House openly promising to use the Justice Department to investigate people he considers political enemies.

Blanche Thanks Trump and Senators

After the vote, Blanche thanked the president and lawmakers in a social media post.

Blanche also said he was “grateful” to senators who remained at the Capitol late to complete his confirmation.

Two Republicans Join Democratic Opposition

Blanche was confirmed by the narrowest possible margin.

Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joined all Senate Democrats in voting against him.

Their opposition reflected concerns about Blanche’s independence, his relationship with Trump and controversial decisions he made while serving as acting attorney general.

Confirmation Fight Exposes DOJ Independence Concerns

The bruising confirmation battle revealed deep anxiety about placing one of Trump’s closest legal allies at the head of the country’s chief federal law enforcement agency.

The Justice Department has traditionally sought to maintain independence from direct political control by the White House.

Critics fear Blanche will prioritize Trump’s personal and political interests over the department’s institutional responsibilities.

IRS Settlement Threatens Nomination

Blanche’s path to confirmation became especially difficult because of the Justice Department’s settlement of Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service.

The agreement included a proposed $1.8 billion fund to compensate Trump allies who claimed they were mistreated by the criminal justice system.

Potential beneficiaries included people involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Settlement Included Tax Audit Protections

The IRS agreement also offered Trump and members of his family protection from some tax audits.

Republicans and Democrats questioned the legality and scope of those protections.

The settlement raised concerns that the president was using control of the executive branch to secure favorable treatment from a federal agency he oversees.

Blanche Promises to Abandon Fund

Under pressure from Republican senators, Blanche formally promised in writing to abandon the $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund.”

The Justice Department also clarified that the tax audit agreement applied only to claims open when the settlement was reached.

It does not prevent the IRS from examining Trump’s future tax filings.

Cassidy Provides Decisive Vote

Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana announced Friday morning that he would support Blanche.

His decision supplied the crucial vote needed for confirmation.

Cassidy said another nominee might not be able to manage the Justice Department more effectively under Trump.

Cassidy Says Former Role Could Help

Cassidy argued that Blanche’s previous work as Trump’s criminal defense lawyer could make him better able to push back against legally improper presidential demands.

Because Trump trusts Blanche, Cassidy suggested the new attorney general might have more influence when explaining the limits of federal law.

“This is not a referendum on President Trump. It is a decision regarding Mr. Blanche in very specific circumstances,” said Cassidy, who lost his primary this year to a Trump-backed challenger.

Durbin Calls Confirmation a Mistake

Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the highest-ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, urged lawmakers to reject Blanche.

He called the confirmation a “serious mistake” and asked senators not to place themselves on the “wrong side” of history.

Loyalty to Trump Dominates Debate

Questions about Blanche’s loyalty to Trump remained central throughout the confirmation fight.

Trump elevated Blanche to acting attorney general after firing Pam Bondi in April.

Once in control, Blanche accelerated investigations involving Trump’s perceived opponents and advanced other White House priorities.

Bondi Fired After Failing to Deliver Cases

Trump dismissed Bondi after she failed to produce successful criminal cases against people the president considers political enemies.

Her removal reinforced concerns that Trump expects the attorney general to deliver personal retribution.

Blanche’s confirmation now tests whether he can meet Trump’s demands while operating within legal and constitutional limits.

Cornyn and Tillis Force Written Concessions

The controversial IRS settlement nearly ended Blanche’s nomination.

Republican Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina threatened to withhold their support.

They demanded written assurances that the compensation fund would not proceed and that the tax protections would be narrowed.

Deal Unlocks Judiciary Committee Vote

Blanche formally rescinded the fund as part of an agreement with Cornyn and Tillis.

The compromise allowed the Senate Judiciary Committee to advance his nomination earlier in the week.

Without those concessions, Blanche might not have secured enough Republican votes to reach the Senate floor.

Murkowski Remains Unconvinced

The written agreement did not persuade every Republican.

Murkowski announced Friday that she would join Collins in opposing the nomination.

Murkowski expressed doubt that Blanche would provide that independent restraint.

Blanche Built Career as Federal Prosecutor

Before representing Trump, Blanche worked as a federal prosecutor in New York.

He later became nationally prominent as a leading member of Trump’s criminal defense team.

Blanche represented Trump during his New York hush money trial and in two federal criminal cases brought by the Biden administration’s Justice Department.

Blanche Claims Trump Was Targeted

Blanche has said his experience defending Trump gave him a direct view of what he considers the weaponization of the criminal justice system.

That perspective has shaped his approach to the Justice Department.

Supporters say it motivates him to correct political abuses, while critics say it encourages him to use federal power against Trump’s adversaries.

Deputy Attorney General Role Preceded Promotion

Blanche joined the Justice Department in 2025 as deputy attorney general under Bondi.

He supervised the department’s daily operations and became its public face during several high-profile controversies.

Those matters included the release of millions of investigative records involving disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Democrats Point to Investigations of Trump Foes

Democrats accuse Blanche of placing allegiance to Trump above the Justice Department’s independence.

They cite investigations targeting former FBI Director James Comey and other perceived presidential opponents.

They also object to the broader restructuring of a department that historically tried to maintain distance from White House political pressure.

DOJ Loses Thousands of Employees

Thousands of Justice Department employees have departed under Bondi and Blanche.

The losses occurred through dismissals, resignations and voluntary separation programs.

Critics say the departures have damaged morale, reduced institutional knowledge and weakened resistance to political pressure.

Supporters Say Blanche Can Restrain Trump

Blanche’s allies say his prosecutorial background and personal relationship with Trump make him more qualified than Bondi.

They argue that his credibility with the president could help him explain why certain demands cannot legally be carried out.

Supporters also say his courtroom experience gives him a realistic understanding of what prosecutors can prove.

Republicans Praise Law Enforcement Agenda

Republicans have highlighted Blanche’s efforts to reduce violent crime and increase immigration enforcement.

They also praise his work targeting drug trafficking and violent cartels.

Those priorities closely match the law enforcement agenda Trump promoted during his campaign and second term.

Grassley Endorses Blanche

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley strongly supported the nomination.

He said Blanche had led the department effectively while serving in an acting capacity.

Retribution Agenda Faces Legal Obstacles

It remains unclear whether Blanche can deliver the prosecutions Trump wants.

Bondi encountered resistance from judges, grand juries, prosecutors and other Justice Department employees.

Establishing criminal conduct against one Trump opponent after another proved more difficult than the president’s public demands suggested.

Comey Case Faces Dismissal Effort

Shortly after Blanche took control, the Justice Department moved to indict Comey.

The charges accused the former FBI director of threatening the 47th president by posting a social media photograph showing seashells arranged as “86 47.”

Comey’s attorneys are asking a court to dismiss the case.

Comey Lawyers Accuse DOJ of Misconduct

Comey’s defense team accuses the Justice Department of misleading judges and submitting documents containing false statements.

The lawyers also allege that prosecutors withheld important facts while seeking the indictment.

The outcome could become an early test of the credibility and legality of Blanche’s approach.

DiGenova Leads Florida Investigation

Blanche also appointed Joseph diGenova, a former Reagan-era Justice Department prosecutor, to oversee an investigation based in Florida.

The inquiry is examining whether former intelligence and law enforcement officials conspired during the past decade to undermine Trump.

It remains uncertain whether investigators will uncover evidence supporting criminal charges.

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