{
  "id": 281949,
  "title": "Trump pick Todd Blanche clears major hurdle in bid to become US attorney general",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/trump-pick-todd-blanche-clears-major-hurdle-in-bid-to-become-us",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-07T20:30:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3363368/trump-pick-todd-blanche-clears-major-hurdle-bid-become-us-attorney-general"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The US Senate has approved Todd Blanche, 52, as the new Attorney General, securing President Donald Trump's choice to head the nation's top federal law enforcement agency. Republican Senator Bill Cassidy pledged his support for Blanche, breaking a deadlock after Democratic Senator Lisa Murkowski threatened to oppose the nomination. Despite opposition from Murkowski and Republican Senator Susan Collins, the Senate voted 50-49 in favor of Blanche. Blanche, who has served as acting Attorney General since Trump fired Pam Bondi in April, will now lead the Justice Department, which has undergone significant changes under Trump's second term. Cassidy's endorsement for Blanche marked the end of a contentious confirmation process, with concerns over Blanche's independence becoming a significant hurdle. Since taking over, Blanche has opened investigations into Trump's detractors, sparked an exodus of career prosecutors, and declared the Justice Department operates at the president's direction. Critics have raised concerns over Blanche's handling of the release of Jeffrey Epstein files, the granting of immunity to Trump, his family, and businesses, statements to anti-abortion groups, and the targeting of various political figures.",
  "summary": "Republican Senator Bill Cassidy said on Friday he would back Todd Blanche for attorney general, clearing a path for Donald Trump’s nominee after weeks of scrutiny over the Justice Department’s independence from the White House. Cassidy emerged as the probable deciding vote after Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said she would oppose Blanche for the top US law enforcement job, leaving…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Associated Press",
        "title": "Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski says she will oppose Todd Blanche’s nomination as attorney general",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/republican-sen-lisa-murkowski-says-she-will-oppose-todd-blanches",
        "published": "2026-08-07T11:23:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hill",
        "title": "Murkowski will oppose Blanche nomination, putting it in danger of stalling",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/murkowski-will-oppose-blanche-nomination-putting-it-in-danger-of",
        "published": "2026-08-07T11:49:14.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "Murkowski says she'll vote against Blanche's nomination for attorney general",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/murkowski-says-shell-vote-against-blanches-nomination-for-attorney",
        "published": "2026-08-07T11:58:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "NPR",
        "title": "Murkowski will oppose Blanche nomination, narrowing his path to confirmation",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/murkowski-will-oppose-blanche-nomination-narrowing-his-path-to",
        "published": "2026-08-07T14:12:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News AU",
        "title": "Todd Blanche confirmed as US attorney general after divisive hearing",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/todd-blanche-confirmed-as-us-attorney-general-after-divisive-hearing",
        "published": "2026-08-08T09:14:12.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW News",
        "title": "US Senate confirms Trump loyalist Todd Blanche as new AG",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/us-senate-confirms-trump-loyalist-todd-blanche-as-new-ag",
        "published": "2026-08-08T14:25:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Tempo.co English",
        "title": "US Senate Confirms Trump Loyalist Todd Blanche as New AG",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/us-senate-confirms-trump-loyalist-todd-blanche-as-new-ag",
        "published": "2026-08-09T07:46:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}