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Todd Blanche Confirmed Attorney General, 50-49 Vote

8/11/2026

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Blanche Confirmed

Todd Blanche was sworn in as U.S. Attorney General at White House Monday after a 50-49 Senate confirmation.
The confirmation came after he withdrew a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund and addressed a Trump audit-immunity settlement.
Blanche had been acting attorney general since April after President Donald Trump dismissed Pam Bondi.
Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski voted against Blanche, joining all Democrats.
Bill Cassidy’s vote gave Blanche the decisive 50-49 Senate majority.

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Blanche Sworn In

Todd Blanche was sworn in as U.S. attorney general at the White House Monday after the Senate confirmed him 50-49.
His confirmation comes as the Justice Department faces criticism for resignations and prosecutions of the president’s opponents, sparking capacity concerns.
He defended a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund and a tax-immunity deal shielding Trump from IRS audits.
Jeffrey Epstein survivors said Blanche met with them after initially refusing and gave few answers.

History

Historical Context

In February 2017, Jeff Sessions was confirmed as U.S. Attorney General by a 50-48 Senate vote, cementing President Donald Trump’s cabinet. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell rallied votes, while Democrats led by Chuck Schumer opposed the nominee, reflecting a 62-38 partisan split on the Judiciary Committee. That narrow confirmation mirrors today’s 50-49 Senate vote for Todd Blanche, where Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski joined Democrats in rejecting the federal nominee. The recurring partisan deadlock suggests future administrations will face intensified Senate scrutiny over justice-department policies, potentially reshaping national enforcement priorities.

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Blanche Confirmed

Todd Blanche was sworn in as U.S. Attorney General at White House Monday after a 50-49 Senate confirmation.
The confirmation came after he withdrew a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund and addressed a Trump audit-immunity settlement.
Blanche had been acting attorney general since April after President Donald Trump dismissed Pam Bondi.
Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski voted against Blanche, joining all Democrats.
Bill Cassidy’s vote gave Blanche the decisive 50-49 Senate majority.

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