{
  "id": 302938,
  "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",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-08T09:14:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-08/todd-blanche-confirmed-as-us-attorney-general/107013178"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "US Senate Republicans narrowly confirmed Todd Blanche to serve as President Donald Trump's Attorney General following a contentious confirmation battle. The decision comes after Blanche had already been serving in an acting capacity as head of the Justice Department. The vote, which passed 50-49, followed a period of intense scrutiny over Blanche's independence and the potential for the Trump administration to use the Justice Department to investigate political opponents. Blanche, a former federal prosecutor with ties to the Trump legal team, faced opposition from some Republicans who were concerned about the controversial settlement reached with the Internal Revenue Service, which included provisions to shield Trump and his family from tax audits. Despite the opposition, Blanche secured the necessary votes to be confirmed, with key Republican Senator Bill Cassidy switching his support on Friday morning. He emphasized that Blanche's experience and loyalty to Trump made him the best candidate to lead the Justice Department under the current administration. Democrats, on the other hand, criticized the confirmation, with Senator Dick Durbin warning that it would be a \"serious mistake\" and urging colleagues not to \"be on the wrong side of history.\" Blanche's appointment marked the second time a Trump nominee has been confirmed as Attorney General since the president took office last year.",
  "summary": "The vote followed a tumultuous confirmation fight that exposed deep concerns — from some Republicans as well as Democrats — about installing Donald Trump's close ally atop a Justice Department that historically prided itself on its independence from the White House.",
  "key_points": [
    "US Senate narrowly confirms Todd Blanche as Attorney General 50-49",
    "Blanche served as acting Attorney General prior to confirmation",
    "Key Republican Senator Bill Cassidy switches support for Blanche"
  ],
  "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": "South China Morning Post",
        "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",
        "published": "2026-08-07T20:30:46.000Z"
      },
      {
        "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."
}