Todd Blanche Confirmed as Attorney General After Republican Holdouts Relent

Todd Blanche, a former personal defense lawyer for President Trump who had been serving as acting attorney general, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as attorney general after his nomination encountered unusual resistance from within the Republican party. The dispute centered on a Justice Department settlement connected to Trump's tax returns and reports of a planned $1.8 billion fund intended to benefit Trump allies. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins publicly opposed Blanche's confirmation, while other Republicans, including Thom Tillis and John Cornyn, withheld support pending further answers. On August 4, 2026, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted along party lines to advance Blanche's nomination after he confirmed in writing that the proposed $1.8 billion fund had been abandoned. Experts cautioned that Trump could still revive the arrangement despite the written assurance. President Trump had suggested in late July that he might pause the confirmation process amid the GOP pushback. Senator Bill Cassidy's decision to back Blanche was reported as pivotal to securing enough Republican votes for confirmation, alongside a separate deal involving Tillis and Cornyn. The nomination proceeded to a full Senate vote, where it was expected to face strong Democratic opposition. Blanche was ultimately confirmed, cementing his role as the nation's top law enforcement official, though the process involved a rare and notable degree of dissent from within Trump's own party. The exact final vote tally was not specified across the reports. It remains unresolved whether the $1.8 billion fund arrangement is permanently terminated or could be reinstated, as experts noted the written commitment does not preclude a future reversal. Coverage also diverged on interpretation, with some outlets treating the episode primarily as a legislative negotiation and others characterizing it as symptomatic of deeper concerns about corruption tied to the administration.