Blanche's path to confirmation narrows as Republican Sen. Susan Collins says she will vote no

What This is

• Todd Blanche, President Trump’s nominee for attorney general and the acting head of the Justice Department, has moved to a full Senate vote after a 12–10 party-line Judiciary Committee vote.
• Sen. Susan Collins said she will vote no, arguing Blanche’s actions have further weakened the Justice Department’s independence.
• Blanche’s path depends on winning support from nearly all Republicans, with several GOP senators still undecided as the vote approaches.
• A central controversy is a settlement tied to President Trump and the IRS that included limits on audits, plus a proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund.
• Blanche is also under fire over how the Justice Department has handled releases of Jeffrey Epstein-related materials, including heavily redacted disclosures and interactions tied to Ghislaine Maxwell.

Why This Matters

• The attorney general sets the tone for federal prosecutions, so doubts about independence can change public trust in the justice system.
• The fight reflects how much control a president should have over a department meant to enforce laws evenhandedly.
• Senate defections show the limits of party discipline and can shape what nominees must promise to get confirmed.
• Disputes tied to IRS audit protections and a large compensation fund raise questions about special treatment for political allies.
• The Epstein-file controversy keeps pressure on the government to balance transparency, privacy, and accountability.