Senate Confirms Todd Blanche as Attorney General in 50-49 Vote After Key GOP Defection

Todd Blanche was confirmed as President Donald Trump’s Attorney General in an overnight vote, securing the position with a 50-49 margin after Senator Bill Cassidy, R-La., switched to a “yes” vote, providing the crucial deciding vote.

In a floor speech on Friday, Cassidy defended his decision, stating, “Blanche is not perfect, but the choice is not between perfection and Mr. Blanche. It is between Mr. Blanche and another acting attorney general who may not run the department effectively under President Trump, and who indeed may not be as good as Mr. Blanche.”

Cassidy’s shift came after Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, announced earlier Friday that she would vote against Blanche, citing concerns about his ability to “check the worst impulses of this administration.” Murkowski referenced several Justice Department actions during Trump’s second term, including the handling of the Epstein files, targeting of Trump’s political opponents, and immunity granted to Trump and his family.

The final vote saw Republicans Murkowski and Senator Susan Collins of Maine joining all Democrats in opposing Blanche’s nomination. Senator Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., remained absent from the Senate during the vote.

Statement from Blanche

“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 in a post on X early Saturday.

“I am grateful to the Senate for staying late to complete this process. To the dedicated public servants of the Department of Justice, thank you for your work each day to uphold the law and keep our country safe. God bless America.”

Background on Confirmation Process

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted Tuesday to advance Blanche’s nomination after he agreed to formally discontinue a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund for Trump’s allies, securing support from two previously undecided GOP senators, John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina.

Despite Blanche’s assurances regarding the fund, concerns remain about its potential revival, as Trump has not signed an agreement to modify his settlement with the IRS that established the fund. Collins announced her opposition on Tuesday, citing the IRS settlement and Blanche’s stance against restricting mail delivery of abortion pills.

Blanche, who was appointed to replace Pam Bondi after Trump dismissed her in April, is now positioned to continue serving as interim attorney general while his nomination is formally finalized.

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