US Senate narrowly confirms Trump loyalist Todd Blanche as attorney general

Former personal attorney to US President Donald Trump, Todd Blanche, has been officially confirmed as the country's Attorney General, following a narrow 50-49 Senate vote. The role, which has been vacant, is the nation's highest-ranking law enforcement position.

Blanche, who has been serving as acting Attorney General since April, won his confirmation through the support of all Democrats and two Republicans - Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski. Senator Bill Cassidy, a Republican, cast the deciding vote, which drew significant attention due to the ongoing tensions between Cassidy and Trump.

In his remarks following the vote, Blanche expressed his deep honor at receiving President Trump's trust and confidence. However, his confirmation was met with concerns from some Republican senators who questioned his handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents and his role in establishing a $1.8bn fund intended to compensate individuals alleging government persecution.

Blanche later pledged to abandon the fund following backlash from Republican senators during his confirmation hearings. It remains uncertain whether this commitment is legally binding or if Trump might later persuade Blanche to revive a similar program under a different name.

The confirmation of Blanche was complicated by his past actions, leading Senators Collins and Murkowski to initially withhold their support. Murkowski specifically expressed her doubts about Blanche's ability to curb the administration's more extreme tendencies. Collins also raised concerns about Blanche's involvement in settling Trump's $10bn lawsuit with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), but ultimately decided to back him, trusting in his ability to provide candid legal advice.

Before voting in Blanche's favor, Cassidy announced that he believed the president had chosen him as the best candidate. He clarified that this was not a referendum on Trump, but a decision concerning Blanche in specific circumstances. Cassidy also acknowledged that while Trump ultimately decides the direction of the justice department, Senate confirmation would give Blanche greater ability to advocate for important causes.

During Trump's impeachment trial in 2021, Cassidy voted to convict Trump for his role in the 6 January Capitol riot. This vote resulted in Trump's acquittal, and when Trump returned to office, he compelled Cassidy into retirement by backing a primary challenger for his Louisiana Senate seat earlier this year.

The Senate Democratic leader, Chuck Schumer, expressed concern over Blanche's appointment, warning that it could serve as an "excuse on a silver platter to keep up his pervasive, breathtaking corruption." Blanche seemed unfazed by the criticism, stating that Todd Blanche has no intention of stopping Trump's corruption, rather, he has advanced his career by enabling it.

Most Republicans, however, quickly celebrated the victory, with Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley praising Blanche's extraordinary patience, compassion, and tenacity throughout the appointment process.