Todd Blanche, former personal lawyer to Donald Trump, was confirmed by the US Senate as the United States Attorney General early on August 8, 2026, by a 50-49 vote [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. Blanche had served as acting Attorney General since April, following the firing of his predecessor, Pam Bondi [1, 3, 7, 8].
Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana cast the deciding vote in favor of Blanche after initially holding out, stating, "Mr Blanche is not perfect, and he will tell you this, but the choice is not between perfection and Mr Blanche. It is between Mr Blanche and another acting attorney general who may not run the department effectively under President Trump and who indeed may not be as good as Mr Blanche" [1, 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 5, 11]. Every Senate Democrat voted against the confirmation, along with Republican Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski [1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 5].
Concerns raised during the confirmation included Blanche's handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related document releases, which critics said involved inappropriate redactions and breaches of victim privacy [2, 9, 5]. There were also questions about a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund the Justice Department had created, which Blanche agreed in writing to rescind [1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 5, 6]. However, some remain uncertain whether this commitment is legally binding or if a similar fund could be revived later [1, 2, 3, 5].
Additionally, Blanche's role in a tax-immunity agreement shielding President Trump and his family drew scrutiny. Blanche agreed to narrow the scope of this deal, which helped secure some Republican support [2, 3, 7, 9, 5]. Senator Lisa Murkowski voiced serious concerns about the politicization of the Justice Department under Blanche’s leadership, saying, "I take issue with the handling of the release of the Epstein files; the sweeping immunity protections granted to the President, his family, and their businesses; the politicization of the Justice Department" [3]. Murkowski also warned that the nearly $2 billion slush fund "which likely would have rewarded January 6 protesters—is only off the table because this nomination is pending and the Senate has leverage. Once we vote, that will end, and there is no telling what the future holds" [2].
Senator Dick Durbin criticized Blanche for operating "as the president’s personal lawyer, treating the justice department like a law firm serving one client: the president" [4]. Todd Blanche expressed gratitude after confirmation, saying, "I am deeply honored to be confirmed as the new attorney general, and thank President Trump for the trust and confidence placed in me" [4].
Blanche was formally sworn in as US Attorney General at a White House ceremony on August 10, 2026 [12, 8].
