Senate confirms Todd Blanche as attorney general in 50-49 vote

The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as U.S. attorney general early Saturday by a 50-49 vote, elevating the Justice Department's acting leader and President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer to the top job. All Democrats voted no, joined by Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. With Sen. Mitch McConnell absent, support from Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana proved decisive after he backed Blanche despite raising concerns about his judgment and the department's suits against Trump's perceived political enemies. Blanche had also faced resistance over a proposed $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund, but he later put in writing that the order creating it was rescinded.