Trump's ex-lawyer Todd Blanche confirmed as US Attorney General amid narrow vote

The US Senate has confirmed Todd Blanche, former personal lawyer to Donald Trump, as the nation's new Attorney General. This decision concludes weeks of uncertainty surrounding his nomination and addresses concerns about his independence within the Department of Justice.

The Republican-controlled Senate approved Blanche by a razor-thin margin of 50-49 in a late-night vote. His confirmation makes him the second Attorney General appointed since Trump's return to the White House, amidst Trump's stated desire to use the department to investigate political adversaries.

The confirmation process was marked by intense debate, particularly focusing on Blanche's allegiance to Trump. Despite serving as interim head of the agency, his official confirmation could empower him to pursue the administration's agenda more assertively.

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I am deeply honored by the trust President Trump has placed in me, and I am grateful to the senators for working late to confirm me.

Blanche stated on social media that he was "deeply honored by the trust President Trump has placed in me" and "grateful" to the senators for their late-night efforts. However, the narrow vote highlighted significant concerns among both Republicans and Democrats regarding the appointment of a close Trump ally to lead a department historically valued for its independence.

The confirmation path was unusually turbulent, partly due to Republican reservations about a controversial settlement agreement concerning Trump's lawsuit against the IRS. Under pressure, Blanche publicly committed in writing to abandon a proposed $1.8 billion compensation fund for Trump allies, including those involved in the January 6th Capitol attack. He also pledged to limit a provision designed to shield Trump and his family from IRS tax audits. These assurances were sufficient to sway Senator Bill Cassidy, the deciding vote, who argued Blanche might be the most effective leader to resist Trump's demands.

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perhaps no other nominee could better lead the department under Trump's mandate and suggested that Blanche's role as the president's former lawyer may make him more effective in resisting his demands.