The US Senate has confirmed President Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer, Todd Blanche, as attorney general following a closely contested vote. This vote exposed divisions within the Republican Party.
According to BBC, Blanche was confirmed by a 50-49 vote. Republican senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski joined Democrats in opposing his nomination. Furthermore, Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy provided the crucial support that secured Blanche’s confirmation.
The vote ends a prolonged standoff over Blanche. He had been serving as acting attorney general since April after previously holding the position of deputy attorney general.
Blanche survives Republican concerns
Some Republican senators had expressed reservations over Blanche’s handling of the release of documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein. They also questioned his involvement in plans for Trump’s proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund.
The fund was intended to compensate people who claimed they had been unfairly targeted by the government. Critics, however, feared it could benefit individuals prosecuted over the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol.
Blanche later promised during his confirmation hearings to step away from the proposal following criticism from Republican lawmakers.
Murkowski nevertheless opposed his nomination, saying she lacked confidence in Blanche’s ability to resist what she described as the administration’s worst impulses. In addition, she also raised concerns about the politicisation of the Justice Department.
Collins had separately questioned Blanche’s involvement in settling Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service. However, she said she believed he could still offer the president candid legal advice.
Cassidy casts decisive vote
Cassidy’s decision had attracted particular attention because of his strained relationship with Trump.
The Louisiana senator voted to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial over the January 6 Capitol riot. Later, he faced political opposition from the president.
Explaining his decision, Cassidy said the vote was about Blanche rather than Trump. He added that Senate confirmation could give the new attorney general greater influence within the administration.
He also said he did not want to disrupt the Justice Department’s efforts to combat violent crime.
Blanche had taken over as acting attorney general in April following the removal of Pam Bondi.
His confirmation now places him permanently at the head of the Justice Department. This makes him the country’s top law enforcement official at a time when questions over the department’s independence and political direction remain under close scrutiny.
