Senate Confirms Trump Loyalist Todd Blanche as Attorney General by Razor-Thin Margin
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In a deeply troubling move, the Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as U.S. attorney general by a 50-49 vote, with only two Republicans breaking ranks to join Democrats in opposing this controversial nominee.
In the early hours of Saturday, the Senate narrowly confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general, cementing the grip of Trump loyalists on the Justice Department. The Republican-controlled chamber approved Blanche’s nomination by a single vote, 50-49, with Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski standing with all Democrats in a principled stand against this alarming appointment.
Blanche, who has served as Trump’s personal criminal-defense lawyer and now as acting attorney general, publicly thanked President Donald Trump on social media, expressing his gratitude for the president’s 'trust and confidence.' He also thanked senators who worked late into the night to push through his confirmation, despite widespread concerns about his independence.
Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, whose vote tipped the scales, attempted to justify his support by claiming Blanche could manage the department under the Trump administration. Cassidy argued that Blanche’s history as Trump’s defense attorney might enable him to resist the president’s demands, a claim many view as naive given Blanche’s record of unwavering loyalty to Trump. 'This is not a referendum on President Trump. It is a decision regarding Mr. Blanche in very specific circumstances,' Cassidy insisted, ignoring the broader implications for democracy.
Democratic Senate Judiciary Committee leader Dick Durbin issued a stark warning, calling the confirmation 'a serious mistake' and urging his colleagues not to be on the 'wrong side' of history as the Justice Department’s independence is further eroded.
The confirmation followed a heated hearing centered on a settlement related to Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS. Blanche, under pressure, agreed to abandon a proposed $1.8 billion compensation fund for Trump’s cronies and to withdraw a provision that would have shielded Trump and his family from IRS audits—concessions that were necessary to appease skeptical Republicans.
Blanche, a former federal prosecutor who rose to prominence by defending Trump, has overseen controversial Justice Department actions, including the selective release of files on Jeffrey Epstein and politically motivated investigations into Trump’s opponents. Critics warn that Blanche’s loyalty to Trump threatens the department’s independence, while supporters tout his prosecutorial record on violent crime, immigration, and drug trafficking—ignoring the broader threat to the rule of law.
Since Blanche’s tenure began, the Justice Department has moved to indict former FBI Director James Comey and appointed right-wing figure Joseph diGenova to lead a probe into supposed conspiracies against Trump, further weaponizing the department for political gain. The outcomes of these actions remain uncertain, but the damage to democratic norms is already clear.