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Senate confirms Todd Blanche as attorney general after weeks of uncertainty
NBC News • • general
Key Points:
- Todd Blanche was confirmed as U.S. attorney general in a narrow 50-49 Senate vote, with only two Republicans, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, opposing him alongside all Democrats.
- Blanche, formerly President Trump's personal attorney, faced scrutiny over his role in the controversial anti-weaponization fund and a deal granting Trump and his associates immunity from tax audits.
- Several Republican senators who initially opposed Blanche ultimately supported him after he agreed to rescind the $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund, though legal loopholes could potentially revive it.
- Critics expressed concern that Blanche’s close ties to Trump could compromise the independence of the Justice Department and enable the use of the DOJ for political retribution.
- Blanche assumed the acting attorney general role in April after Trump dismissed his predecessor, Pam Bondi, amid frustrations over DOJ inaction against Trump’s political opponents.
