Todd Blanche confirmed as attorney general in 50-49 vote
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- Todd Blanche was confirmed as US attorney general in a 50-49 Senate vote, with only Republican Senator Bill Cassidy's deciding ballot securing the win after months of standoff.
- Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski were the two Republican defectors — Murkowski cited the "politicisation" of the justice department, while Collins flagged Blanche's role in settling Trump's $10 billion IRS lawsuit.
- Trump's $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund drew bipartisan concern over fears it would compensate January 6 participants; Blanche pledged to walk it back, but the source notes it's unclear whether the commitment is legally binding or whether Trump could revive a similar scheme under another name.
- Senator Bill Cassidy backed Blanche as "the best option the president would put forward," arguing confirmation gives Blanche leverage to push back — despite Trump later backing a primary challenger that forced Cassidy into retirement from his Louisiana seat.
- Blanche had served as acting attorney general since April after Pam Bondi was fired, having already been deputy attorney general.
- All Senate Democrats voted against Blanche's nomination to lead the Justice Department.
Why it matters: The 50-49 vote shows how razor-thin Trump's Senate margin is for cabinet confirmations, with even some Republicans breaking ranks over politicization fears. Blanche's pledge to scrap the $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund remains legally untested, leaving room for Trump to revive a similar compensation scheme under another name.
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