Trump Loyalist Todd Blanche Installed as Attorney General After Razor-Thin Senate Vote
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Todd Blanche, a former personal lawyer to Donald Trump, was sworn in as attorney general after a 50-49 Senate confirmation, raising alarms about the Justice Department’s independence amid bipartisan concerns.
Todd Blanche, who previously served as President Donald Trump’s personal attorney, was sworn in Monday as the United States attorney general—a move that cements Trump’s grip on the Justice Department. The ceremony, presided over by Judge Emil Bove, another Trump loyalist, took place at the White House after Blanche’s confirmation squeaked through the Senate by a 50-49 margin, with two Republicans joining Democrats in a rare show of resistance.
Blanche, a former federal prosecutor from New York, had been acting head of the Justice Department since the abrupt firing of Pam Bondi in April, a move widely seen as politically motivated. Now, he takes full control of an agency battered by a wave of resignations and firings, as career officials flee what many view as a politicized purge.
"I feel no pressure to placate the president and I see no problem with the president’s interest in Justice Department matters," Blanche said, openly embracing the president’s interference as a "right" and a "duty"—a chilling signal for those who believe in the independence of the judiciary.
The confirmation fight underscored deep bipartisan unease over the department’s increasing politicization. Critics pointed to the Justice Department’s ongoing investigations into Trump’s political enemies and former officials, including the recent indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, as evidence of a dangerous trend.
Blanche entered Trump’s inner circle in 2023, abandoning his law firm to defend the president in multiple criminal cases, including two brought by the Justice Department under the previous administration. Supporters claim his close ties to Trump will help him manage the president’s demands, but for many, his appointment marks another step toward the erosion of democratic norms and the rule of law.