Senate Confirms Todd Blanche as Attorney General in Narrow 50-49 Vote

Aug 7, 2026

The Senate narrowly confirmed Todd Blanche as U.S. Attorney General in a 50-49 vote on August 8, 2026. Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski defected from the GOP to oppose Blanche, citing concerns over Department of Justice politicization. Senator Bill Cassidy cast the deciding vote, choosing Blanche over the prospect of a less moderate acting official. To secure confirmation, Blanche formally rescinded a controversial $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund and limited a tax immunity deal benefiting Donald Trump.

Senate confirmation vote

▪Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana cast the deciding 50th vote to confirm Todd Blanche as Attorney General.
▪The U.S. Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as U.S. Attorney General early Saturday, August 8, 2026, in a narrow 50-49 vote.
▪Todd Blanche had been serving as the acting U.S. Attorney General since April 2026, following the firing of his predecessor, Pam Bondi.

Republican defections

▪Republican Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted against Todd Blanche's confirmation as Attorney General.
▪Senator Lisa Murkowski stated she opposed Todd Blanche because she lacked confidence in his ability to check the worst impulses of the Trump administration.
▪Senator Susan Collins opposed Todd Blanche's confirmation due to concerns over Department of Justice politicization, the anti-weaponization fund, and his reported pledge to restrict abortion medication.

Republican holdouts

▪Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina initially withheld support for Todd Blanche's nomination to extract concessions.
▪Senator Bill Cassidy supported Todd Blanche despite noting poor judgment, arguing the choice was between Blanche and a potentially less effective acting Attorney General.

Justice Department controversies

▪Under Todd Blanche's leadership, the Department of Justice indicted former FBI Director James Comey for posting an Instagram photo of seashells in the shape of '8647'.
▪The Department of Justice under Todd Blanche faced criticism for its handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related files, which redacted public information and exposed victims' names.
▪Jeffrey Epstein survivors urged senators to block Todd Blanche's nomination after a July 2026 meeting, describing him as abrasive and noncommittal.

Anti-weaponization fund

▪The proposed anti-weaponization fund was designed to compensate individuals claiming government persecution, raising concerns it would reward January 6, 2021, Capitol rioters.
▪Todd Blanche signed a written statement on August 2, 2026, formally rescinding the order that established the controversial $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund.
▪President Donald Trump publicly defended the anti-weaponization fund, stating it would have been very fair and could have given solace to prosecuted January 6 supporters.

Presidential tax immunity

▪Legal experts and Democrats questioned the validity of the IRS settlement clarifications, noting they were unsigned by Donald Trump and other primary parties.
▪The Department of Justice issued an August 2, 2026, statement clarifying that Donald Trump's tax audit protections apply retroactively and only to Trump, two sons, and the Trump Organization.
▪Todd Blanche approved a settlement deal that shielded Donald Trump, his family, and his businesses from IRS tax audits and enforcement for prior tax returns.