{
  "id": 303664,
  "title": "US Senate confirms Trump's ex lawyer as attorney general",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/us-senate-confirms-trumps-ex-lawyer-as-attorney-general",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-08T09:18:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Channel News Asia",
    "slug": "channel-news-asia",
    "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/us-senate-trump-ex-lawyer-todd-blanche-attorney-general-6307481"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, Todd Blanche, was confirmed as the US Attorney General on Saturday (Aug 8) after Senate Republicans disregarded Democratic concerns regarding the politicization of the Justice Department. Blanche, who had been serving as an acting Attorney General, represented Trump in several criminal trials before entering government. The Senate, which is narrowly controlled by Republicans, confirmed him with a vote of 50 to 49. Republican senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski joined Democrats in voting against the nomination, highlighting the political sensitivity surrounding the appointment. Blanche expressed his gratitude for the Senate's late-night efforts to finalize the process and expressed appreciation to the Department of Justice's dedicated public servants. Blanche thanked the Senate for staying late to complete this process.",
  "summary": "President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, Todd Blanche, has been confirmed as US attorney general by the Senate on Saturday, August 8. The Senate, which is controlled by Republicans, narrowly confirmed him with a vote of 50 to 49. Blanche, who has been serving as the acting attorney general, was nominated by Trump and has represented him in several criminal trials. Republican senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski joined Democrats in voting no, highlighting the political sensitivity surrounding the nomination. Blanche expressed his gratitude to the Senate and the Department of Justice, stating that he was deeply honored to lead the department. Democrats had raised concerns over the politicization of the Justice Department, accusing Trump of turning it into a political weapon. The Senate ultimately confirmed Blanche by defusing internal party opposition by scrapping a proposed fund for victims of politicized prosecutions and granting immunity to Trump, his sons, and the Trump Organization only for past tax years.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "US Senate confirms Trump’s ex-lawyer as attorney general",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/us-senate-confirms-trumps-ex-lawyer-as-attorney-general-304627",
        "published": "2026-08-08T09:09:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Live Mint",
        "title": "US Senate averts shutdown before Midterms, curbs Trump on Border Patrol funds, delays Hemp ban",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/us-senate-averts-shutdown-before-midterms-curbs-trump-on-border",
        "published": "2026-08-08T09:46:48.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "US Senate confirms Trump’s ex-lawyer as attorney general",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/us-senate-confirms-trumps-ex-lawyer-as-attorney-general-304164",
        "published": "2026-08-08T10:33:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Guardian US",
        "title": "Trump loyalist Todd Blanche confirmed by Senate as US attorney general",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/trump-loyalist-todd-blanche-confirmed-by-senate-as-us-attorney-general",
        "published": "2026-08-08T12:34:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}