President Donald Donald Trump’s former personal attorney, Todd Blanche, is on course to secure Senate confirmation as the United States attorney general after Republican lawmakers appeared set to provide just enough support for his nomination despite strong Democratic opposition.
Blanche has been serving as acting attorney general and previously defended Trump in several criminal cases before joining the administration.
His nomination had faced uncertainty because Republicans hold only a slim Senate majority.
The confirmation path became clearer on Friday after Senator Bill Cassidy publicly announced his support, offsetting opposition from two Republican senators. With Democrats expected to vote against the nomination, Cassidy’s backing is likely to give Blanche the narrow majority required for confirmation.
Trump has repeatedly praised Blanche, describing him as a “star,” as the president continues efforts to expand executive influence over federal agencies traditionally regarded as independent.
Democrats, however, have remained firmly opposed to the nomination, arguing that Blanche has failed to demonstrate the independence expected of the nation’s top law enforcement officer.
“The attorney general is supposed to be the people’s lawyer,” Senator Dick Durbin, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said on Tuesday. “Mr Blanche continues to operate as the president’s personal lawyer, treating the Justice Department like a law firm serving one client — the president.”
One of the biggest controversies surrounding Blanche’s nomination was his proposal to establish a $1.8 billion fund for individuals Trump described as victims of politically motivated prosecutions.
Critics argued the fund could benefit those involved in the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol, when rioters attempted to stop Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory.
Another contentious issue involved a proposal that would have shielded Trump from certain tax audits.
Blanche later eased concerns within his party by issuing a written directive over the weekend abolishing the proposed political “anti-weaponization fund.”
He also clarified that an agreement granting audit immunity to Trump, his two eldest sons and the Trump Organization would apply only to previous tax years and would not extend to future filings.
Blanche has led the Justice Department in an acting capacity since Trump dismissed Pam Bondi, another close political ally, in April.
During that period, Democrats have accused him of overseeing what they describe as a campaign of political retaliation against the president’s opponents.
He has also faced criticism from victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein over his handling of the release of investigative files linked to Epstein, who was once a close associate of Trump.
Before entering government, Blanche represented Trump in the New York criminal case involving alleged hush-money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
He also served on Trump’s legal team in two federal prosecutions brought by special counsel Jack Smith over the alleged mishandling of classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
Both cases were dropped after Trump returned to the White House following his victory in the 2024 election.
