Senate Confirms Trump's Former Attorney Todd Blanche as U.S. Attorney General

The Senate on Thursday narrowly confirmed Todd Blanche

The Senate on Thursday narrowly confirmed Todd Blanche, a former criminal defense lawyer for President Donald Trump, to serve as the next U.S. attorney general, placing a close presidential ally atop the Justice Department despite unusual resistance from members of his own party.

The final tally was 51-49, with every Democrat opposing the nomination and three Republicans breaking ranks to vote against Blanche, a rare show of bipartisan skepticism for a Cabinet pick. The dissent centered on Blanche's limited prosecutorial experience and his role in defending Trump during two impeachment trials and the federal election interference case.

Blanche, who previously clerked for a federal judge and spent more than a decade as a federal prosecutor in Manhattan, will now oversee the department's vast operations, including the FBI, the Bureau of Prisons, and all federal law enforcement agencies. His confirmation places a lawyer known for his aggressive courtroom style at the helm of an institution that has faced intense scrutiny over its independence.

During his confirmation hearings, Blanche sought to reas…

During his confirmation hearings, Blanche sought to reassure lawmakers that he would shield the Justice Department from political interference, vowing to follow the facts and the law wherever they lead. He also pledged to prioritize violent crime reduction and border enforcement, echoing Trump's campaign promises.

Critics, however, questioned whether Blanche could truly separate his loyalty to the president from the demands of the office, especially given his past statements about the Justice Department's investigations into Trump. Republican senators who opposed him, including Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, cited those concerns in explaining their votes.

With his confirmation, Blanche becomes the latest in a series of Trump loyalists to assume senior roles in the administration. His tenure is expected to be closely watched by legal observers, who anticipate a significant reshaping of the department's priorities and personnel. Blanche is set to be sworn in on Friday.