The US Senate has confirmed Todd Blanche, President Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer, as attorney general in a 50-49 vote, concluding a prolonged dispute between Senate Republicans and the administration over his nomination.
Blanche, who had served as acting attorney general since April, will now formally lead the nation’s top law enforcement department. He was previously deputy attorney general before taking the interim leadership post following Pam Bondi’s firing.
All Senate Democrats opposed Blanche, along with Republican Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. Louisiana Republican Bill Cassidy cast the decisive vote in favour of confirmation.
Republican concerns
Some Republicans had questioned Blanche’s handling of the release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein and his role in creating Trump’s proposed $1.8bn anti-weaponisation fund. The proposed fund was intended to compensate people who alleged government persecution.
Critics, including Murkowski, were concerned that compensation could go to people prosecuted for taking part in the January 6, 2021, attack on Congress. During his confirmation hearings, Blanche pledged to withdraw the proposal after opposition from Republican senators.
It remains unclear whether that commitment is legally binding or whether Trump could seek to revive a similar initiative under a different name. Murkowski said she lacked confidence that Blanche would restrain what she called the administration’s “worst impulses,” and cited concerns about politicisation of the Justice Department.
Collins also raised questions about Blanche’s role in settling Trump’s $10bn lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service, though she said she trusted him to provide candid legal advice to the president.
Reactions after the vote
Before his vote, Cassidy said Blanche was the strongest candidate Trump was likely to nominate. He said the decision concerned Blanche in “very specific circumstances,” rather than serving as a referendum on the president. Cassidy also said Senate confirmation could give Blanche greater leverage within the department.
Blanche said after the vote that he was deeply honoured by the trust and confidence Trump had placed in him. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Blanche’s appointment would enable what he described as Trump’s corruption, while Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Chuck Grassley said Blanche had demonstrated patience, compassion and tenacity throughout the process.
Source: BBC News
