Todd Blanche narrowly confirmed as Trump's attorney general in overnight vote

The U.S. Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as the new Attorney General in a close 50-49 vote early Saturday morning. Blanche, who previously served as President Donald Trump's personal attorney, will now lead the Justice Department, an agency Trump has sought to influence. This confirmation makes Blanche the second Attorney General appointed since Trump returned to the White House with a stated intention to use law enforcement for political investigations.

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deeply honored by the trust and confidence President Trump has placed in me

While Blanche had been serving in an acting capacity, his official confirmation could empower him to more aggressively pursue the Trump administration's agenda. Blanche expressed his honor on social media, thanking President Trump for the trust placed in him and the senators for their late-night vote. However, his confirmation process was fraught with difficulty, exposing significant concerns among both Democrats and some Republicans regarding the appointment of Trump's close ally to head a department historically valued for its independence.

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grateful to senators for working late to confirm him

The confirmation was secured by the narrowest of margins, with two Republicans, Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, joining all Democrats in opposition. A key point of contention was a controversial settlement related to Trump's lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service. Under pressure, Blanche committed in writing to abandon Trump's proposed $1.8 billion compensation fund for allies and to limit measures shielding Trump and his family from IRS audits.

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This is not a referendum on President Trump. It is a decision regarding Mr. Blanche in very specific circumstances

Senator Bill Cassidy, whose vote proved decisive, supported Blanche, arguing that no other nominee might better manage the department under Trump. Cassidy suggested Blanche's background as Trump's defense lawyer could make him more effective at managing the president's demands. Conversely, Senator Dick Durbin, a leading Democrat, called the confirmation a "serious mistake," urging colleagues not to be on the "wrong side" of history and emphasizing the need for an Attorney General "above reproach" dedicated to ending corruption.

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If there is ever a moment in history when we need an Attorney General above reproach, who is clearly dedicated to ending corruption, even at the highest level of our government, it's right now