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📖 Read full article→Todd Blanche is narrowly confirmed as Trump's attorney general in an overnight Senate vote - AP News
WorldBy Alanna Durkin Richer, Lisa Mascaro8/8/20261 min read
The Senate has confirmed Todd Blanche as the next attorney general of the United States. The 50-49 vote early Saturday came after a bruising confirmation fight that exposed deep concerns in both parties about installing President Donald Trump’s former persona…
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- The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche, President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, as attorney general in a narrow 50-49 vote in the early hours of Saturday, following an overnight session.
- Blanche's confirmation became the second for a Senate-confirmed attorney general since Trump returned to the White House, and it solidifies his leadership of a Justice Department Trump has sought to shape to his agenda.
- The vote came after a contentious fight, with two Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, joining Democrats in opposition over concerns about the department's independence.
- Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana provided crucial support, announcing his backing on the Senate floor and acknowledging Blanche "is not perfect" while suggesting an alternative nominee might be no better.
- Blanche had already been serving as acting attorney general, and his formal confirmation is expected to give him greater latitude to advance the administration's priorities, including Trump's stated aim to investigate his political opponents.
- Reacting on social media, Blanche said he was "deeply honored" by Trump's trust and thanked senators for working late to secure his confirmation.
WASHINGTON (AP) The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general in a vote early Saturday, cementing the command of President Donald Trumps former personal lawyer at a Department of Justice that