Todd Blanche, formerly President Donald Trump’s personal legal counsel, officially secured his position as US attorney general on Saturday. The Senate confirmed his appointment with a tight 50-49 vote, as Republican senators prioritized the nomination despite significant pushback from Democrats regarding the potential politicization of the Justice Department.
Blanche had been serving as the acting head of the agency following the departure of Pam Bondi earlier this year. His confirmation was initially uncertain due to internal Republican resistance over controversial proposals, including a $1.8 billion fund for those prosecuted in relation to the January 6 Capitol attack and a request for immunity from tax audits for the Trump family. Blanche resolved these disputes by canceling the proposed fund and limiting the scope of tax audit immunity to past filings.
Democratic lawmakers expressed alarm at the appointment, arguing that Blanche continues to act as a personal protector for the president rather than an independent public official. Before joining the administration, Blanche defended Trump in multiple high-profile legal matters, including the New York hush money case and federal proceedings overseen by special counsel Jack Smith, both of which concluded following Trump’s 2024 election victory.
