US Senate confirms Todd Blanche as Attorney General after contentious vote

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Todd Blanche, former personal lawyer to Donald Trump, as the new Attorney General. The vote, which concluded a contentious confirmation process, passed 50-49 on Saturday.

“

The Senate approved Saturday the choice of Todd Blanche, former personal lawyer of Donald Trump, to formally become the new Minister of Justice.

Blanche, who had been serving as acting Attorney General since April, faced opposition from Democrats who accused the Trump administration of weaponizing the Justice Department against political opponents. His nomination was also met with resistance from a few Republican senators who demanded concessions on certain government initiatives.

These demands included the abandonment or significant restriction of a controversial "anti-instrumentalization" fund of nearly $1.8 billion, intended to financially compensate Trump allies facing charges under the Biden administration. Democrats decried this fund as a "slush fund." Additionally, Republican senators sought assurances regarding tax immunity for the president and his associates.

“

This validation by 50 votes against 49 completes a tortuous procedure for the American president, who saw a handful of senators from his Republican camp oppose the taking of office by his former personal lawyer.

The government has reportedly abandoned the compensation fund project in response to legal challenges. Blanche gained public prominence as Donald Trump's personal lawyer in several criminal cases, including one involving alleged hush-money payments to Stormy Daniels, which led to Trump's criminal conviction in spring 2024.

“

The Democratic opposition was unanimously opposed to his nomination, denouncing the use by the Trump government of the Ministry of Justice as a political weapon against its opponents.