Senate Confirms Todd Blanche as U.S. Attorney General
The Senate has confirmed Todd Blanche as the U.S. Attorney General. Blanche previously served as President Trump’s personal lawyer. The vote took place early Saturday, with a narrow margin of 50-49 in favor. Democrats, along with Republican Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, opposed the nomination.
Blanche’s confirmation came after overcoming a key hurdle on Friday. He secured the decisive support of Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana. Cassidy voiced concerns about Blanche’s judgment, particularly about exempting the president from IRS audits and the lawsuits perceived as politically motivated. Despite these concerns, Cassidy emphasized that his backing was not a referendum on President Trump.
Senator Cassidy noted, “Mr. Blanche is not perfect, and he will tell you this.” He added that Blanche was preferable to another acting attorney general who might not run the department effectively.
Challenges Overcome
Blanche’s nomination faced multiple challenges. Controversy surrounded the department’s $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund, which arose from a settlement between Trump and the IRS. The fund intended to compensate individuals who felt targeted by the government. Blanche assured lawmakers on August 2 that the fund was no longer proceeding.
Senators Cornyn and Tillis demanded written assurances that the fund was terminated, delaying the Judiciary Committee’s vote. Blanche’s written statement rescinded the order establishing the fund, earning Cornyn’s praise for his cooperation.
Audit Protections Clarified
The Department of Justice issued a statement on August 2 clarifying tax audit protections related to the Trump-IRS settlement. These protections applied retroactively to Trump, two of his sons, and the Trump Organization, rather than a broader group.
Legal experts questioned the validity of these assurances in court due to the lack of signatures from all settlement parties. Brandon DeBot of the Tax Law Center remarked that the assurances offered no new measures to prevent the fund’s revival.
President Trump maintained that the fund would have been fair and could have provided solace to some supporters accused in the January 6 Capitol riot.
Background and Criticism
Critics of Blanche’s leadership continue to question his suitability for the role. Democratic Senator Alex Padilla stated, “The American people deserve better.” Blanche, hired by Trump in 2023, defended him against various charges, including hush money payments and attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.
Under Blanche, the Justice Department pursued actions against perceived enemies of Trump, such as charging former FBI Director James Comey and the Southern Poverty Law Center. These actions sparked debate on the presumption of regularity, a legal doctrine assuming proper conduct by DOJ officials.
Court challenges to the DOJ’s actions led to accusations of non-compliance and unfounded representations. High-profile cases, such as dropped vandalism charges against a Lincoln Memorial incident, have further questioned the DOJ’s credibility.
Blanche’s nomination also faced criticism over his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Survivors pushed for meetings with Blanche, one of whom found him “abrasive and condescending.” Despite meetings held, concerns persisted about his nomination.
Assistance from NPR’s Ryan Lucas and Barbara Sprunt contributed to this report.