Senate confirms Todd Blanche as attorney general in 50-49 vote
Why it matters: Trump's former personal lawyer now formally leads the Justice Department after winning over a key Republican holdout.
The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as U.S. attorney general early Saturday by a 50-49 vote, giving President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer full control of the Justice Department after months as acting chief. Two Republicans, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, joined all Democrats in opposition, while Bill Cassidy cast the decisive vote. Blanche's path was complicated by Republican unease over a proposed $1.8 billion compensation fund tied to Trump's IRS lawsuit settlement and fears it could benefit people involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. To shore up support, Blanche pledged to abandon the fund. Critics argued his close ties to Trump could weaken the department's independence.