Senate narrowly approves Todd Blanche as AG, capping tough confirmation fight
Blanche won over key Republicans by scrapping a $1.8 billion fund and narrowing tax-audit protections for Trump and his family, officials said.
- The Senate voted 50–49 to confirm Todd Blanche as U.S. Attorney General, ending a contentious confirmation fight and officially installing President Donald Trump's former criminal defense lawyer atop the Department of Justice.
- Sen. Bill Cassidy provided the decisive swing vote after declaring his support on the floor, while Republican Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski joined all Democrats in opposing the nomination.
- The pre-dawn 4:31 a.m. vote took place immediately before the Senate adjourned for a five-week recess, granting Blanche full confirmation after serving in an acting capacity since Trump removed former AG Pam Bondi in April.
- Confirmation prospects were stalled for weeks over a controversial $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund" and tax immunity provisions stemming from a DOJ settlement with Trump over his leaked IRS records.
- Blanche secured key Republican votes by offering written assurances, officially rescinding the payout fund and clarifying that tax audit immunity applied only to existing claims and did not protect against future tax filings.
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Republican Todd Blanche, a close ally of Donald Trump, was confirmed on Saturday, August 8, as the new US Attorney General, following a close vote in the Senate. Three Republicans who had initially expressed reservations about his independence—John Cornyn, Thom Tillis, and Bill Cassidy—ultimately voted in favor.
Senate confirms AG Todd Blanche, who said God should be 'front and center again'
The U.S. Senate confirmed the nomination of Todd Blanche for attorney general in a narrow vote, after he received pushback from secular groups for saying he believes “God" should be "front and center again” under the Trump administration.
Once again, the Republicans prove that they have nothing on them except submission. If the U.S. President soon presented them with a horse for appointment, they would accept it.
Editorial cartoons for Aug. 9, 2026: Todd Blanche confirmed, Iran stalemate, Fauci hearing
Attorney General nominee Todd Blanche won Senate confirmation Saturday by a vote of 50-49. Republican holdouts Sens. Thom Tillis and John Cornyn dropped their opposition after Blanche gave them written assurances that he will scrap a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” to compensate allies of President Donald Trump.
A 'perilous' new trap awaits for Trump AG Todd Blanche
President Donald Trump’s attorney general, Todd Blanche, was confirmed over the weekend despite the initial opposition to his nomination voiced by Republican lawmakers like Sens. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina. Yet even though Blanche overcame the hurdles to taking office, a new report reveals that his biggest struggles are still ahead of him.“As Blanche assumes his new role, now with the imprim…
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