The United States Senate has confirmed Todd Blanche, President Donald Trump’s former personal attorney, as the nation’s Attorney General in a narrow 50-49 vote early Saturday.
Blanche, 52, who previously served as Deputy Attorney General and later as Acting Attorney General following the removal of Pam Bondi in April, will now permanently lead the Department of Justice.
The confirmation vote saw two Republican senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska join all Democrats in opposing the nomination. The razor-thin margin underscores the contentious nature of the appointment.
Blanche represented Trump in several high-profile criminal cases, including the New York hush-money trial that resulted in a conviction on 34 felony counts, as well as the federal cases brought by former Special Counsel Jack Smith. He left a partnership at the prestigious New York law firm Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft in 2023 to join Trump’s legal team.
Since taking on the acting role earlier this year, Blanche has been closely involved in reshaping the Justice Department. Supporters within the administration have praised his leadership and commitment to the President’s agenda, while critics have raised concerns about the independence of the nation’s top law enforcement agency.
In a statement following the vote, Blanche said he was “deeply honored by the trust and confidence President Trump has placed in me to lead the Department of Justice.”
The confirmation marks a significant milestone for the second Trump administration, placing a close personal ally of the President at the helm of the Justice Department.