Senate Confirms Todd Blanche as Attorney General in 50-49 Vote

Outgoing Senator Bill Cassidy cast the deciding vote for the nominee, even after publicly criticizing Blanche's judgment regarding the so-called "weaponization fund" intended for Trump allies. While Cassidy acknowledged the nominee's past mistakes, he argued that any appointee in the current political climate would face identical pressures from the White House. To secure support from Republican holdouts like Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn, Blanche issued a formal order to eliminate the fund, though he notably declined to reinstate tax audits for the president.

Critics remain unconvinced by the compromise. Senator Lisa Murkowski, one of two Republicans to vote against the confirmation, cited the politicization of the Department of Justice and the department's handling of the Epstein files as primary reasons for her opposition. Senator Chris Coons characterized the deal as "paper-thin," warning that the Senate would likely regret trusting a nominee who continues to operate as a personal advocate for the president rather than an independent legal officer. Outside the chamber, watchdog groups labeled the confirmation a severe blow to the rule of law, expressing fears that Blanche will prioritize the president’s personal agenda over his duties to the public.