Senate confirms Blanche as attorney general in 50-49 vote

The Senate’s narrow confirmation of Todd Blanche as attorney general gives President Trump a Senate-approved leader at the Justice Department for the first time since Pam Bondi’s departure in April. The 50-49 vote, taken at 4:31 a.m. Saturday before the August recess, ended weeks of uncertainty created by Republican objections to a proposed $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund and related tax provisions that emerged from a May settlement of Trump’s IRS lawsuit. Two Republicans, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, joined all Democrats in opposition; Bill Cassidy of Louisiana supplied the decisive vote after receiving written assurances from Blanche that the fund was rescinded and that tax protections applied only retroactively to Trump, his two eldest sons, and the Trump Organization. Mitch McConnell’s absence meant Republicans could lose no more than two members on the party-line tally. Blanche, 51, a former federal prosecutor and Trump’s personal lawyer in several criminal cases, had served as acting attorney general since April. Murkowski and Collins cited concerns over the fund, the handling of Epstein files, and the department’s direction; Cassidy acknowledged similar reservations but concluded that Blanche represented the best available option. Blanche stated after the vote that he was “deeply honored” by the Senate’s action. The fund originated in the IRS settlement and drew bipartisan criticism as a potential payout mechanism for Jan. 6 defendants; Blanche’s written order on or around Aug. 2 addressed the immediate objections of holdout senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis. Legal experts noted that the assurances were not signed by all parties and could be revisited. The confirmation leaves open questions about whether the department will maintain or alter its recent enforcement priorities.