Senate Confirms Todd Blanche as Attorney General in Narrow Vote

The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as Attorney General early Saturday morning in a 50-49 vote, marking one of its final actions before the August recess.

Blanche is President Trump's former defense lawyer. This confirmation makes Blanche the second confirmed Attorney General since President Trump returned to the White House last year. His path to office was described as tumultuous, with some Republicans initially holding out. President Trump had previously threatened to keep Blanche as acting attorney general. The vote largely followed party lines, with two Republican Senators, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, joining Democrats in opposing Blanche's nomination.

Republican Senator Bill Cassidy was the deciding vote. Concerns were raised over the independence of the office. President Trump calls Blanche a star. Blanche served as President Trump's former personal attorney. The narrow 50-49 vote concluded a process that saw some Republicans express reservations at various stages. The confirmation occurred just before the Senate's scheduled August break.