The United States Senate has confirmed Todd Blanche, a former personal lawyer to President Donald Trump, as the country’s attorney general.
Blanche secured confirmation by a 50-49 vote on Saturday, despite strong opposition from Democrats, who had raised concerns that his appointment could further politicise the US Department of Justice.
He had been serving as acting attorney general since April, when Trump dismissed Pam Bondi from the position.
Before joining the government, Blanche represented Trump in several criminal cases, including the New York trial involving alleged hush-money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
He was also part of Trump’s legal defence team in two federal cases brought by special counsel Jack Smith.
The cases involved allegations that Trump mishandled classified documents after leaving office and attempted to overturn the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.
Both cases were dropped after Trump returned to the White House following the 2024 presidential election.
Trump has praised Blanche, describing him as a “star,” while Democrats have accused the president of attempting to turn the Justice Department into an instrument for political retaliation against his opponents, Senator Dick Durbin, the ranking Democrat on the Senate.
Judiciary Committee, criticised Blanche’s nomination, saying, “The attorney general is supposed to be the people’s lawyer.”
Durbin added, “Mr Blanche continues to operate as the president’s personal lawyer, treating the Justice Department like a law firm serving one client — the president.”
Blanche’s confirmation had faced uncertainty after some Republican senators expressed reservations over proposals linked to his nomination.
One major controversy centred on a proposed $1.8bn fund for people Trump described as victims of politically motivated prosecutions.
The proposal was expected to potentially benefit some individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.
Another contentious issue was a proposal that would have granted Trump immunity from tax audits.
Blanche eventually addressed the concerns through a written order issued over the weekend.
The order scrapped the proposed political “anti-weaponisation fund” and clarified that an agreement concerning tax-audit immunity for Trump, his two eldest sons and the Trump Organisation would apply only retrospectively to previous tax years and not future filings.
Since becoming acting attorney general, Blanche has remained closely associated with what Democratic lawmakers describe as a Trump “retribution” campaign targeting the president’s political opponents.
His handling of the release of investigative files relating to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has also drawn criticism from Epstein’s victims.
Despite the controversy surrounding his nomination, Blanche’s confirmation gives Trump a former personal legal adviser as the permanent head of the Justice Department.
