Senate Confirms Todd Blanche as Attorney General in 50–49 Vote
On August 8, the Senate narrowly confirmed Todd Blanche — President Trump’s former personal defense attorney — as U.S. Attorney General by a 50–49 vote, with only Republicans Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski crossing the aisle. Blanche had served as acting head of the Justice Department since April and, in that role, aggressively advanced the administration’s priorities and previously spoke of a “war” with the federal judiciary. His confirmation cleared committee only after he provided written assurance on August 2 that the controversial “Anti-Weaponization Fund” executive order was rescinded, an issue that had drawn objections even from some Republican senators. The elevation of a close presidential loyalist to lead the DOJ is significant for democratic-decline observers because it concentrates prosecutorial authority in an official closely identified with the president’s personal legal interests, raising concerns about the politicization of federal law enforcement.