Senate confirms Todd Blanche as attorney general

The United States Senate voted 50-49 on Saturday to confirm Todd Blanche as the nation's Attorney General, replacing President Trump's former defense lawyer in the role. Two Republican senators, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, joined all Democrats in opposing his nomination to head the Justice Department. Blanche's confirmation was made possible by the support of Sen. Bill Cassidy, who earlier announced his backing.

Blanche had been deputy attorney general and acting attorney general following the removal of Pam Bondi. He was appointed to the permanent role by President Trump in June, but faced opposition over the department's creation of a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund and the immunity deal for Trump, his family, and his businesses.

Following negotiations, Blanche rescinded his May directive establishing the anti-weaponization fund and clarified the immunity deal. He secured support from two other key Republicans, Cassidy and John Curtis of Utah, before the Senate vote. Despite his confirmation, Blanche's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files and the release of unredacted information from survivors of Epstein's sex-trafficking operation drew criticism from some of the victims, who urged senators to reject his nomination.