The Senate narrowly confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general in a 50-49 vote early Saturday, after several Republican holdouts reversed course and backed President Donald Trump’s nominee.
Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined Democrats in opposing Blanche. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), who had previously expressed doubts about the nomination, ultimately provided a key Republican vote.
“I am deeply honored by the trust and confidence President Trump has placed in me to lead the Department of Justice as our great nation’s 88th Attorney General,” Blanche said after his confirmation.
The vote capped a difficult confirmation process that included resistance from several Republicans.
Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) initially withheld their support over concerns involving a $1.8 billion fund for people who said they were victims of politically motivated prosecutions. Both senators later supported Blanche after the Justice Department addressed their demands.
Cornyn sought written proof that the fund had been rescinded. He also wanted changes to language in an IRS settlement involving Trump and his family. The Justice Department later released documentation confirming that the fund had been rescinded. Cornyn and Tillis then backed Blanche’s nomination.
Tillis had also pushed Blanche to meet with alleged victims of Jeffrey Epstein. Blanche met with several of them at Justice Department headquarters in July. Some participants later described the meeting as dismissive and unproductive.
The Senate Judiciary Committee ultimately advanced Blanche’s nomination in a 12-10 vote.
Collins and Murkowski remained opposed.
Collins said she believed the Justice Department had become increasingly political under Blanche’s leadership. She cited several actions, including issues surrounding the compensation fund and attempted indictments involving Democratic Sens. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Mark Kelly of Arizona.
Murkowski also criticized the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein files. She raised concerns about what she described as the growing politicization and weaponization of the department.
Cassidy had also questioned whether Blanche would act independently from Trump. During a SiriusXM interview Wednesday, he raised concerns that Blanche could operate as Trump’s personal attorney while serving as attorney general. Cassidy later announced on the Senate floor that he would vote for the nomination.
Blanche had been serving as acting attorney general since April. He previously served as the Justice Department’s second-ranking official.
His confirmation makes him the nation’s 88th attorney general.