The United States Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as the U.S. attorney general in a 50-49 vote overnight. Blanche, a former personal lawyer to President Donald Trump, has served as the acting head of the Department of Justice since April. The narrow confirmation followed a period of disagreement between the Trump administration and some members of the Senate Republican caucus.
Blanche previously served as the deputy attorney general and moved into the acting role following the firing of Pam Bondi. During his tenure as a private attorney, he represented President Trump in a 2024 hush-money case and was involved in a $10 billion settlement with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). His nomination faced scrutiny during Senate hearings regarding his management of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein and his involvement in a proposed $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund intended to compensate individuals who alleged government persecution.
The confirmation was secured when Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) cast the deciding vote. Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined all Senate Democrats in voting against the nomination. Murkowski cited concerns regarding the "politicization" of the Department of Justice and questioned Blanche's ability to act as a check on the administration. In response to Republican concerns during his hearings, Blanche pledged to move away from the $1.8 billion compensation fund, though critics noted it is unclear if this commitment is legally binding.
The scale of this appointment is defined by the $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund that Blanche previously helped establish. While Blanche pledged to walk back the fund, its potential implementation would have directed taxpayer money toward individuals claiming government persecution, including those prosecuted for the January 6, 2021, attack on Congress. For a national population of roughly 330 million people, a fund of that size represents approximately $5.45 in federal spending per person, though the specific criteria for receiving these funds remain a point of contention.
The concrete change for federal employees and the public will be a shift in the department’s official leadership from an "acting" status to a permanent, Senate-confirmed head. Sen. Cassidy stated that this status gives the attorney general "greater leverage" to influence department policy. The immediate impact follows Blanche’s statement that he was "honored" by the appointment, signaling his intent to begin his confirmed term immediately. Future policy regarding the $10 billion IRS settlement and the release of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents will now be under his direct authority. Following the vote, Blanche officially assumes the role as the nation's top law enforcement official.