Todd Blanche confirmed as US attorney general despite Republican defections
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Todd Blanche has been confirmed by the US Senate as attorney general, overcoming a wave of Republican defections that had put President Donald Trump's nominee in jeopardy. His confirmation brought an end to weeks of uncertainty over whether he would secure the votes needed to lead the Department of Justice.
Blanche succeeds Pam Bondi as the nation's top law-enforcement official, taking charge of federal prosecutions, investigations and legal policy. His path to confirmation was secured only after Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana announced a late "yes" vote on the Senate floor, providing the decisive support that had been in doubt until the final stages of the process.
- Todd Blanche confirmed as US attorney general by the Senate
- Survived Republican defections that had threatened his nomination
- Senator Bill Cassidy's late "yes" vote proved decisive
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The US attorney general is the country’s most senior law-enforcement official and leads the Department of Justice. The department oversees federal criminal cases, represents the government in many court disputes and advises the president on legal matters.
The president chooses an attorney general, but the Senate must approve the nomination. Senators from the president’s own party can sometimes oppose a nominee, so their votes may be decisive when the chamber is closely divided.
The role can influence how the government sets priorities on issues such as crime, civil rights, competition and national security. Although the attorney general is appointed by the president, the Justice Department is also expected to make prosecutorial decisions through established legal processes.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters argue that Todd Blanche’s confirmation gives the Justice Department clear leadership from an experienced lawyer who has earned the confidence of the elected president and a Senate majority. They may contend that a decisive appointment allows the department to pursue the administration’s lawful priorities consistently, while Senate scrutiny and a closely contested vote demonstrate that the constitutional confirmation process has operated as intended.
The case against
Critics argue that the attorney general’s exceptional duty is to administer justice independently of partisan or personal interests, making a nominee’s closeness to the president and the concerns of dissenting senators especially significant. They may contend that narrow support should prompt rigorous continuing oversight, because decisions on prosecutions, investigations and legal policy can affect public confidence that the Justice Department applies the law impartially.
More coverage
- NPR — Senate votes to confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general
- Daily Mail — Todd Blanche is CONFIRMED as Trump's new attorney general in a big win for the president despite Republican 'no' votes
- BBC World — Todd Blanche, Trump's ex-lawyer, confirmed as US attorney general
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Originally published by Fox News as “Blanche survives Republican defectors as Trump gets his new attorney general”.