Senate votes to confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general

U.S. Senate Republicans narrowly confirmed Todd Blanche as President Donald Trump's attorney general on Saturday, marking one of the most contentious cabinet battles of Trump's second term. Blanche secured a 50-49 vote, with Republican Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski opposing his nomination. After weeks of intense negotiations, Blanche agreed to narrow a tax-immunity agreement and cease weaponization payments, which critics deemed a slush fund for Trump's allies.

Despite concerns over Blanche's independence and handling of the release of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents, he ultimately won the support of both Cassidy and Murkowski. The confirmation comes as the Justice Department faces significant changes under Trump's second term, including prosecutions of perceived enemies, mass departures of career prosecutors, and a break from the tradition of independence.