TODD BLANCHE CONFIRMED AS US ATTORNEY GENERAL

The US Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general on Friday, granting Donald Trump control of the nation's law enforcement apparatus through his former personal lawyer. Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana cast the deciding vote in Blanche's favour after two Republican senators—Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska—voted against him. All Democratic senators rejected the nomination. The vote followed weeks of deliberation over concerns raised by Republican senators regarding the Department of Justice's proposed arrangements.

Republican senators including John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina had objected to a reported $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund" and tax immunity provisions for the president and his family. Cornyn and Tillis secured written assurances from Blanche that the fund would not proceed and clarification on the scope of Internal Revenue Service provisions before agreeing to support his nomination. Lisa Murkowski expressed concern that once the Senate voted, leverage over the fund would be lost. Blanche also faced criticism regarding the Department of Justice's handling of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, which involved improper redactions and the disclosure of victim names. During his confirmation hearing, Blanche initially declined to meet with Epstein victims but subsequently agreed to do so.

Cassidy stated that Blanche, whilst imperfect, represented a preferable choice to an acting attorney general under Trump administration direction. The confirmation marks a significant shift in positioning a Trump ally atop federal law enforcement agencies. Blanche's approval proceeded despite ongoing debate among Republican senators over the adequacy of assurances regarding the proposed fund.