Todd Blanche Confirmed as Attorney General in Narrow 50-49 Senate Vote — What His First Moves Mean for Trump's Justice Department

The Senate has formally confirmed Todd Blanche as the 87th Attorney General of the United States, capping one of the most contentious confirmation fights of President Donald Trump's second term. Blanche, Trump's former personal criminal defense attorney, was confirmed in a razor-thin 50-49 vote that saw two Republicans — Sen. Susan Collins and Sen. Lisa Murkowski — break ranks to oppose the nomination.

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump and newly confirmed Attorney General Todd Blanche appeared together at the White House on September 26, 2026, marking the official start of Blanche's tenure atop the Department of Justice.

The confirmation vote, which took place late Thursday evening, was 50-49 — the narrowest margin for an attorney general in modern history. The vote followed a tumultuous confirmation process that exposed deep concerns — from Republicans as well as Democrats — about installing Trump's close ally atop a Justice Department that historically prided itself on its independence from the White House.

A Rocky Path to Confirmation

Blanche's nomination was nearly derailed by Republican concerns over a controversial settlement involving Trump's lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service.

Under the terms of the settlement, the Justice Department would have established a $1.8 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" to compensate people who felt mistreated by the criminal justice system — including those who attacked the Capitol on January 6, 2021. The settlement also would have shielded Trump and his family from IRS tax audits.

Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, a key swing vote, refused to support Blanche until the nominee publicly promised in writing to abandon the compensation fund. Blanche complied, formally rescinding the fund, and Cassidy announced his support on Friday morning.

"This is not a referendum on President Trump," Cassidy said. "It is a decision regarding Mr. Blanche in very specific circumstances."

Blanche's confirmation was also opposed by Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, who called confirming Blanche a "serious mistake."

"If there is ever a moment in history when we need an attorney general above reproach, who is clearly dedicated to ending corruption, even at the highest level of our government, it's right now," Durbin said.

From Personal Attorney to Top Law Enforcement Official

Blanche's rise to the top of the Justice Department has been unconventional. He served as Trump's personal criminal defense attorney during the New York hush-money trial and later as deputy attorney general and acting attorney general.

He was elevated to the top Justice Department post in an acting capacity after Trump fired Pam Bondi in April 2026. In that role, Blanche moved swiftly to advance the president's interests — accelerating investigations into Trump's perceived foes and announcing the settlement that created the controversial compensation fund.

Blanche is the second confirmed attorney general since Trump returned to the White House, following Bondi's tenure.

What Blanche Has Done Since Taking Office

Since his confirmation, Blanche has wasted no time in pursuing the Trump administration's agenda.

On Tuesday, Blanche finalized a new rule and launched a process allowing certain Americans — including people with felony convictions — to apply for restoration of their federal gun rights.

"The Second Amendment is not a second-class right, and the federal government should not permanently deprive Americans of a constitutional right without regard to whether they pose a danger to public safety," Blanche said in a statement.

"This rule establishes a rigorous, commonsense process that protects the public while giving deserving Americans a real path to restoration."

Under the new process, eligible individuals can apply for restoration of gun rights, though approval is not automatic. Applicants must demonstrate that they are "not likely to act in a manner dangerous to public safety" and that granting relief "would not be contrary to the public interest."

Some groups will remain "presumptively ineligible," including undocumented immigrants, violent felons, and registered sex offenders. The rule takes effect in 30 days, and the Justice Department estimates that approximately 330,000 people could apply in the program's first year.

The Broader Context

Blanche's confirmation comes at a pivotal moment for the Justice Department, which has faced intense scrutiny over its independence under the Trump administration.

The president has repeatedly called for the department to investigate his political enemies, and Blanche's background as Trump's personal attorney has raised concerns about whether he will serve as an independent law enforcement official or as an instrument of the president's will.

Sen. Cassidy acknowledged those concerns but argued that Blanche's role as Trump's former defense lawyer could make him more effective at pushing back on the president's demands.

"He knows how to handle the president," Cassidy said.

Whether that dynamic plays out in practice — and whether Blanche can maintain the department's traditional independence while serving a president who has openly called for retribution against his foes — remains to be seen.

The Bottom Line:

Blanche's tenure as attorney general has officially begun. The question now is whether he will be remembered as a loyal ally who reshaped the Justice Department in Trump's image — or as an institutionalist who managed to maintain the department's independence under enormous pressure.

The world is watching.