Todd Blanche has been confirmed as the next attorney general of the United States, ending a tense period of political deadlock in the Senate. The vote took place on Saturday, with a narrow margin of 50-49 in favor of Blanche’s confirmation. Only two Republican senators voted against him — Susan Collins from Maine and Lisa Murkowski from Alaska. All Democratic senators opposed his appointment as well.
Blanche had been serving in an acting role since April, when he took over the position after the previous attorney general stepped down, according to the New York Daily News. His confirmation came after a long and difficult debate in the Senate over his suitability for the job. Many senators, including Republicans, were uneasy about giving control of the Justice Department to someone so closely tied to President Donald Trump. There was also concern over his involvement in a major settlement involving Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service. That case resulted in a fund meant to help people who felt wronged by the legal system, including those involved in the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. The fund also included a provision that protected Trump and his sons from IRS audits before May 2026.
Initially, Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy had been one of the holdouts on Blanche’s confirmation. However, on Friday he announced that he would support the nomination. Cassidy’s backing came with a condition — Blanche and the Justice Department must abandon Trump’s $10 billion fund. He also suggested that Blanche’s past role as Trump’s criminal defense lawyer could help him resist pressure from the president.
Cassidy said the decision was not about choosing perfection in Blanche but rather between competing priorities. He added that he hoped Blanche would be able to handle the demands of his new role without compromising justice.
Cassidy’s statement came after he lost his re-election bid to a Trump-backed challenger in his home state this year. His decision to back Blanche was seen as an effort to balance political loyalty with concerns over the Justice Department’s independence.
The Senate’s final vote brought a conclusion to a long and closely contested process for Blanche’s appointment. Blanche will now take on the responsibilities of leading the Justice Department under Trump’s direction. His confirmation marks a significant moment in how the federal government is being shaped by Trump’s influence. The move has drawn attention to the broader political and legal implications of placing close allies in key positions within the Justice Department.
Blanche’s past as a lawyer for Trump and his family has raised questions about potential conflicts of interest. He was present in court during the trial related to hush money payments tied to an extramarital affair with Stormy Daniels. That appearance highlighted his role in defending Trump’s legal matters and brought scrutiny to his future work in the Department of Justice.
The Senate’s vote reflects a divided political environment where even Republican senators are cautious about aligning too closely with the president. With Blanche now confirmed, the Justice Department will continue to operate under Trump’s influence and direction. His appointment is expected to shape future legal actions and policy decisions within the federal government.
IMAGE: Todd Blanche Exiting a press conference outside Manhattan Criminal Courthouse where his client Former President Donald Trump was charged with 34 felony counts. Photo: BruceSchaff / Wikimedia, taken 2023-04-04, CC BY-SA 4.0