The US Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general in a 50-49 overnight vote, installing President Donald Trump's former personal defense lawyer at the head of the Justice Department he had led in an acting capacity since April [1][3][6][7]. Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana cast the deciding vote after securing written concessions from Blanche [1][3][8]. Blanche said he was "deeply honored by the trust and confidence President Trump has placed in me to lead the Department of Justice as our great nation's 88th attorney general" [6][20].
Republican senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina withheld support until Blanche formally agreed in writing to scrap a $1.776 billion "anti-weaponization" fund that critics described as a mechanism to compensate Trump allies, including January 6 defendants [2][6][12]. Blanche also narrowed a tax audit immunity agreement covering Trump and his family, limiting it to past tax years only [9][14]. Cassidy framed his yes vote as a pragmatic choice, stating: "This is not a referendum on President Trump. It is a decision regarding Mr. Blanche in very specific circumstances" [3][11]. Cassidy said he had to be convinced that Blanche was "an attorney general who just happens to have once been President Trump's personal attorney, as opposed to President Trump's personal attorney who is now the attorney general" [17].
Democratic senators argued that Blanche had never shed his role as Trump's defense attorney. Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dick Durbin stated that "Mr. Blanche continues to operate as the president's personal lawyer, treating the Justice Department like a law firm serving one client — the president" [5][9][17]. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said the confirmation gave Trump "an excuse on a silver platter to keep up his pervasive, breathtaking corruption" [3][10][17]. Senator Adam Schiff stated that "the problem with confirming Todd Blanche is that he has never been able to shed his role as criminal defense lawyer for Donald Trump. He just can't do it" [30]. During his confirmation hearing, Blanche said "I am his lawyer" before correcting himself to "I was his lawyer" [13][18][28].
Democratic criticism centered on specific actions Blanche took as acting attorney general, including indictments of former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and the Southern Poverty Law Center [7][10][17]. Representative Melanie Stansbury said the Justice Department "is being weaponized for retribution, shielding the administration from accountability, and actively obstructing the Epstein case" [17]. Senator Mark Kelly stated that "the Attorney General should serve the American people, not the president's wish list" [10]. Epstein survivors who met with Blanche described the meeting as demoralizing [2][31]. Former federal prosecutor Laurie Levenson said "the biggest concern is whether he is now going to be emboldened to go even more gung-ho on Trump's campaign of using the Justice Department for retribution. There are no guardrails" [30].
Two Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, voted against confirmation, citing the erosion of DOJ independence under Blanche's leadership. Murkowski stated that the country needs an attorney general "who will check the worst impulses of this administration" [3][6][11]. She cited concerns including the handling of the Epstein files, broad immunity protections granted to Trump and his family, and the targeting of individuals from former administration staff to sitting US senators [8]. Collins stated that "while I believe Mr. Blanche is a capable lawyer, the Department of Justice has become increasingly political. Mr. Blanche has taken several actions that have further eroded the department's independence, and that is the basis for my vote to oppose his confirmation" [10]. Murkowski warned that the nearly $2 billion fund was "only off the table because this nomination is pending and the Senate has leverage. Once we vote, that will end, and there is no telling what the future holds" [10].
Supporters of Blanche framed his closeness to Trump as a qualification. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley wrote that Blanche had shown "extraordinary patience, compassion [and] tenacity" and stated that "Mr. Blanche is the right choice" [3][11]. Blanche argued that he had helped bring crime to record lows and corrected what he described as injustices committed by the Biden administration against Trump and conservative allies [1][14]. Conservative outlets argued that Blanche's experience as a federal prosecutor and his role in fighting what they termed "lawfare" against Trump made him qualified [26]. National Review offered a conservative argument for confirming Blanche as the best available option, while acknowledging what it called the administration's "anti-bureaucratic chemo" and the erosion of traditional DOJ independence [25].
President Trump publicly praised Blanche, calling him "un gran caballero" (a great gentleman) and stating he is "excelente en lo que hace" (excellent at what he does); Trump said it would be "muy triste" (very sad) if the Senate failed to confirm him [8][9]. Trump also called Blanche a "star" [9].
Professional legal organizations and civil liberties groups opposed the nomination on ethics and rule-of-law grounds. The New York City Bar Association concluded that Blanche's record demonstrated a lack of commitment to the integrity, independence, and impartiality required of the attorney general, citing politically motivated prosecutions, violations of constitutional rights, and professional ethics violations [19]. A network of DOJ alumni called Justice Connection sent a letter signed by over 1,200 former DOJ employees opposing the nomination [18]. The American Civil Liberties Union argued that Blanche's DOJ had engaged in "a coordinated campaign of intimidation against political opponents and election officials" [29]. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse raised concerns about the DOJ's conduct, citing a judge's criticism and referral for disciplinary proceedings [18]. The DOJ has lost thousands of employees under Blanche's and former Attorney General Pam Bondi's leadership [6].
Blanche told senators during his confirmation hearing that the Department of Justice is part of the executive branch and that he would not violate his oath to the Constitution if asked to do something illegal [18]. Senator Cory Booker responded that "the attorney general's client is not the president. It's the American people. You've been protecting one man for most of your career, for years and years" [18]. The confirmation came as part of an overnight Senate session that also confirmed over 70 additional Trump nominees [17].