Senate confirms Todd Blanche as U.S. attorney general after narrow vote

What This is

• The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as U.S. attorney general in a 50-49 vote after a contentious confirmation fight.
• Blanche had been serving as acting attorney general since April before the Senate vote.
• Two Republicans, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, joined Democrats in opposing Blanche, making the outcome extremely close.
• Sen. Bill Cassidy cast the deciding vote in favor of Blanche.
• Blanche is a former personal lawyer to Trump, which fueled debate over whether he would keep the Justice Department independent from the White House.
• A major flashpoint was a proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund linked to a Trump lawsuit settlement, which critics said could pay people connected to January 6 cases.
• To win key Republican support, Blanche agreed in writing to rescind the fund and to limit tax-audit protections tied to the settlement.
• Opponents also pointed to the Justice Department’s handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related records as a reason to vote no.

Why This Matters

• The attorney general shapes how federal criminal law is enforced, so doubts about independence can affect trust in the justice system.
• The fight shows how a few senators in a closely divided Senate can determine who runs major agencies.
• How the government handles Epstein-related records is becoming a broader test of transparency versus privacy and legal limits.
• The episode reflects the growing clash over whether the Justice Department is being used to reward allies or punish opponents.