Todd Blanche takes office as attorney general after 50-49 vote
Why it matters: Trump’s former personal lawyer now leads a Justice Department roiled by firings, resignations and politicization concerns.
Todd Blanche was sworn in as U.S. attorney general on Monday after the Senate confirmed him in a 50-49 vote, capping a contentious fight over the future of the Justice Department under President Donald Trump. Blanche, who had served as acting attorney general since April, takes over after Pam Bondi’s firing. Republicans Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski joined Democrats in opposing him, while Bill Cassidy cast the decisive vote. Critics focused on Blanche’s close ties to Trump, his handling of Epstein-related documents and a proposed $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund that he later pledged to abandon.