Todd Blanche narrowly confirmed as Trump's attorney general in overnight vote
The U.S. Senate narrowly confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general in a 50-49 vote. Blanche, a former personal attorney for Donald Trump, faces scrutiny over the potential politicization of the Justice Department.
Why it matters
The appointment is significant for the future of the U.S. Justice Department and its independence from the executive branch.
The U.S. Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general in a vote early on Saturday morning (August 8, 2026), cementing President Donald Trump's former personal attorney's command of a Justice Department the Republican president has sought to bend to his will.
The Republican-led Senate voted 50-49 to make Mr. Blanche the second confirmed attorney general since Mr. Trump returned to the White House last year with a stated desire to use the law enforcement agency to investigate his political enemies. While Mr. Blanche has already been leading the department in an acting capacity, his confirmation could free him to pursue the Trump administration's agenda even more aggressively.
The vote followed a tumultuous confirmation fight that exposed deep concerns — from some Republicans as well as Democrats — about installing Mr. Trump's close ally atop a Justice Department that historically prided itself on its independence from the White House.
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