Todd Blanche, the lawyer who represented Donald Trump in several criminal trials, is now confirmed as United States Attorney General. The Senate confirmed Blanche’s appointment on Saturday with a 50-to-49 vote, Al Jazeera reported.
What were the arguments against Todd Blanche?
Blanche, who had been the acting Attorney General since April, received the confirmation despite his controversial history and heavy opposition from several members of the Senate. The senators specifically showed concern about Blanche’s close relationship with Trump and his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Blanche, who previously served as the Justice Department’s second-ranking official, also received pushback for helping establish a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund with Trump, CNBC reported. According to PBS, the anti-weaponization fund was launched as an effort to compensate Jan. 6 rioters and other Trump allies who faced consequences under former President Joe Biden.
While facing questions about the anti-weaponization fund, Blanche made a deal with two GOP senators, saying that the DOJ would erase the $1.8 billion initiative. The deal helped him secure the confirmation, PBS reported.
Republican Lisa Murkowski, who voted against Blanche’s confirmation, was among the critics who expressed several concerns about the attorney general.
“The politicization—even weaponization—of the Department did not start with this administration but has accelerated during it. I take issue with the handling of the release of the Epstein files; the sweeping immunity protections granted to the President, his family, and their businesses; the statements that have been made to anti-abortion groups; and the repeated targeting of individuals ranging from former administration staff to sitting U.S. Senators,” Murkowski said in part in a post on X.
What were the arguments in favor of Todd Blanche?
Republican Senator Bill Cassidy delivered the deciding vote in Blanche’s confirmation. Cassidy argued that Blanche is tough on crime. Senator Chuck Grassley, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, also made a similar case.
“Mr. Blanche is a tough, fair prosecutor dedicated to the rule of law, and his leadership instills that same zeal throughout the entire Justice Department,” Grassley said, per CNBC.