The U.S. Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as Attorney General in the early hours of Saturday morning. The confirmation passed despite unanimous opposition from Democratic lawmakers in the chamber. Republican majority support secured the position for the former personal attorney of Donald Trump.
Democratic leaders strongly criticized the appointment. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer described the confirmation as a move that green lights corruption, stating that the Department of Justice requires an leader separate from the president's legal team. Other Democrats highlighted concerns regarding the department's previous work, specifically the oversight of the anti-weaponization fund and the handling of files related to Jeffrey Epstein. Several senators noted that the public rollout of the Epstein documents caused privacy issues for victims and damaged public trust.
Democratic members of the House of Representatives also weighed in, arguing that the department should remain free from political influence. House Oversight Committee Democrats requested that Blanche testify under oath regarding the management of these files and his history with the Trump administration. Despite this push, Republican support held firm, with only two GOP senators, Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, joining the opposition. Collins cited the increasingly political environment at the agency as the primary reason for her vote against the nomination.
This confirmation marks a shift for the Department of Justice. As Blanche takes the helm, the debate over his independence and his past role as Trump’s lawyer remains a central point of contention between the two parties. The legislative session saw this confirmation occur during a high-stakes, jam-packed agenda that led to the Senate adjourning for a recess immediately following the vote.