Blanche ‘honored’ after Senate confirms him as US attorney general in narrow vote – US politics live

The U.S. Senate has narrowly confirmed Todd Blanche, a former defense lawyer for Donald Trump, as the nation's new attorney general. The confirmation came in a tight 50-49 vote early Saturday morning, with the vast majority of Democrats and two Republican senators voting against the nomination.

Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska were the Republican holdouts who joined Democrats in opposing Blanche. Despite their votes, Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana ultimately cast the deciding vote in Blanche's favor. Explaining his decision on the Senate floor, Cassidy stated, "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."

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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.

Blanche has been serving as the acting attorney general since April, following the dismissal of Pam Bondi. His confirmation process was marked by significant delays and concerns that he might leverage the Justice Department to pursue Trump's political opponents. These concerns were amplified by discussions surrounding a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund" and tax immunity for the president and his sons.

Senator Dick Durbin, the ranking Democrat on the Senate judiciary committee, voiced criticism, stating, "The attorney general is supposed to be the people’s lawyer. Mr. Blanche continues to operate as the president’s personal lawyer, treating the justice department like a law firm serving one client: the president." Despite these objections, Blanche's appointment was secured after a late-night session concluded just before a planned five-week Senate recess.

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The attorney general is supposed to be the people’s lawyer. Mr. Blanche continues to operate as the president’s personal lawyer, treating the justice department like a law firm serving one client: the president.