Senate confirms Todd Blanche as attorney general after weeks of uncertainty - NBC News
The U.S. Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general in a narrow 50-49 vote following weeks of debate. The confirmation faced opposition due to concerns regarding Blanche's past role as Donald Trump's personal attorney and his involvement in controversial financial funds.
Why it matters
The appointment of a close personal ally to lead the Justice Department raises significant questions about the future independence of federal law enforcement.
The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as U.S. attorney general early Saturday in a mostly party-line vote, capping off weeks of uncertainty and despite bipartisan concerns about his ability to run a Justice Department independent of President Donald Trump’s impulses. Blanche, who was formerly Trump’s personal attorney, was confirmed by a vote of 50-49, with only two Republican senators, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, voting against him along with all Democrats. The vote was held after 4 a.m. on Saturday, as a late-night session ran over into the early hours ahead of a planned Senate recess.
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