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Senate Confirms Trump Lawyer Todd Blanche as Top Cop
Todd Blanche Confirmed as Attorney General: What You Need to Know
Who Is Todd Blanche?
Todd Blanche, 52, is a lawyer who just got one of the most powerful jobs in the U.S. government: Attorney General. This means he’s now the nation’s top law enforcement officer.
Important Point: The Attorney General leads the Department of Justice (DOJ) — the agency that enforces federal laws, prosecutes federal crimes, and oversees the FBI.
The Confirmation Vote
On Saturday, the Senate confirmed Blanche by a razor-thin margin of 50 to 49.
- Two Republican senators voted against him: Susan Collins (Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska)
- Every Democrat voted against him
- The rest of the Republicans voted yes
Important Point: A 50-49 vote is extremely close for a Cabinet position. It shows how controversial this nomination was.
From Trump’s Lawyer to Top Cop
Here’s the unusual part: Blanche used to be Donald Trump’s personal defense attorney.
The Career Risk
- Blanche was a partner at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft — one of New York’s most prestigious law firms
- He was a former federal prosecutor who loved that work
- He was registered as a Democrat and didn’t wear his politics on his sleeve
- In April 2023, he quit his high-paying firm job to defend Trump, who faced multiple criminal cases
Why It Surprised People
Colleagues were shocked. One former coworker said they were "baffled" by his transformation — especially when Blanche started echoing Trump’s rhetoric in court.
What Blanche Did as Trump’s Lawyer
Blanche became Trump’s go-to attorney for three federal indictments. Here’s what he achieved:
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Hush-money trial (New York): Sat beside Trump daily. Although Trump was convicted, Blanche’s tactics delayed sentencing until after the election — effectively keeping Trump out of prison.
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Election interference case: Won at the Supreme Court to expand presidential immunity from criminal prosecution.
- Classified documents case (Florida): Convinced a Trump-appointed judge to throw out the charges entirely.
Important Point: These legal wins helped clear Trump’s path back to the White House — and positioned Blanche for a top government job.
Running the Justice Department
Even before official confirmation, Blanche was already running the DOJ day-to-day.
As Deputy Attorney General (Number 2)
- Often led meetings the Attorney General was supposed to run
- Stepped in when former AG Pam Bondi struggled with media appearances about the Jeffrey Epstein files
- Took over managing that crisis entirely
As Acting Attorney General (Last Few Months)
Since Trump returned to office, Blanche has:
| Action | What Happened |
|---|---|
| Expanded presidential power | Made legal arguments giving the president more protection |
| Fired experienced prosecutors | Mass removals of career officials |
| Indicted political figures | Charged former FBI Director James Comey |
| Subpoenaed journalists | Sought to identify news sources (New York Times) |
| Created "anti-weaponization fund" | Set up controversial fund for allies — then abandoned it |
| Approved tax immunity deal | Special arrangement between Trump and the IRS |
Important Point: Judges across the country have questioned the DOJ’s decisions under Blanche’s leadership.
The Rocky Road to Confirmation
Blanche spent weeks courting senators whose votes he needed. It didn’t always work.
The Murkowski Effort
Blanche made a two-day trip to Alaska (Murkowski’s home state) and:
- Reached two settlements
- Filed two lawsuits
- Awarded $6+ million in grants
Result: Murkowski still voted NO.
Murkowski’s explanation: "The country needs an Attorney General who will check the worst impulses of this administration… I simply do not have confidence that will be the case."
Other Key Holdouts
- Sen. Bill Cassidy: Concerned about DOJ "weaponization" — including a probe into Cassidy Hutchinson (Jan. 6 witness)
- Sens. John Cornyn & Thom Tillis: Delayed committee vote over concerns about the anti-weaponization fund and IRS deal
What Finally Got Him Across the Line
Blanche made two concessions:
- Signed a memo ending the anti-weaponization fund
- Released an unsigned memo clarifying the tax-immunity agreement terms
What Happens Next?
Sources say Blanche plans to:
- Pursue "weaponization" cases — Bringing charges highlighting what Trump claims was DOJ bias against him and allies
- Push hardline immigration cases
- Crack down on fraud in government programs
Important Point: One DOJ official said: "This is exactly what he’s been waiting for."
Summary
- Todd Blanche — former top-law-firm partner and Trump’s personal lawyer — is now Attorney General
- Confirmed 50-49 with two Republicans crossing party lines to oppose
- Reshaped the DOJ in Trump’s image: mass firings, political indictments, journalist subpoenas, expanded presidential power
- Confirmation was a struggle — even a personal Alaska trip couldn’t win Murkowski’s vote
- Made last-minute concessions (ending controversial fund, clarifying IRS deal) to secure votes
- Expected to pursue Trump’s "retribution" agenda: weaponization cases, immigration crackdowns, fraud enforcement
FAQ
1. What does the Attorney General actually do?
The Attorney General leads the Department of Justice (DOJ), which employs 115,000+ people including the FBI, federal prosecutors, and civil rights divisions. They decide which federal crimes to prioritize, oversee major investigations, and advise the president on legal matters.
2. Why was Blanche’s confirmation so controversial?
Three main reasons: (1) He was Trump’s personal defense lawyer immediately before joining the administration — an unusual path; (2) As Acting AG, he took actions critics call politically motivated (indicting Comey, subpoenaing journalists); (3) Senators worried he’d use the DOJ to target Trump’s enemies rather than enforce laws neutrally.
3. What was the "anti-weaponization fund"?
A controversial program Blanche created to financially support allies who claimed they were victims of government "weaponization." It drew bipartisan criticism for appearing to use taxpayer money for political purposes. Blanche ended it via memo to secure confirmation votes.
4. Can the Attorney General indict anyone they want?
Technically, federal prosecutors have broad discretion. But career DOJ officials follow guidelines to avoid political interference. Critics argue Blanche has ignored those norms — for example, by indicting Trump’s former FBI director and probing a Jan. 6 witness.
5. What’s the significance of the 50-49 vote?
Most Cabinet nominees get broad bipartisan support (often 70+ votes). A party-line vote with two majority-party senators defecting signals deep unease — even within the president’s own party — about the nominee’s independence and judgment.
