Senate confirms Trump loyalist Todd Blanche as attorney general

Todd Blanche, Donald Trump's former personal attorney, has been confirmed as the U.S. attorney general following a narrow Senate vote. Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana cast the deciding vote, tipping the scales in favor of Blanche after two other Republicans opposed his nomination. All Democrats voted against him.

Cassidy explained his vote on the Senate floor, stating that while Blanche is not perfect, the alternative was another acting attorney general who might not serve effectively under a potential Trump presidency. The confirmation process had been stalled for weeks, with significant pushback from some Republican senators.

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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.

Concerns centered on a proposed $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund" and tax immunity for the president and his sons. Senator Lisa Murkowski cited the fund as a reason for her opposition, expressing worry that it would be approved once the nomination was settled. However, Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis secured written assurances from Blanche that the fund would not proceed and clarified the scope of an IRS deal, leading to their support.

Blanche also faced criticism for the handling of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, including redaction errors and the unredacted names of victims. His confirmation hearing included a refusal to meet with Epstein survivors, followed by an agreement to do so, though survivors reported receiving few answers. The article notes that scores of career justice department attorneys have left under Blanche's leadership, and department lawyers have faced rebukes from judges for misrepresentations to the court. Blanche has also been at the center of efforts to use the Justice Department to punish political rivals, with the department indicting figures like former FBI director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

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I am also keenly aware that the Department’s nearly $2-billion dollar 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.