President Trump’s nominee for attorney general, Todd Blanche, faces a closely contested confirmation vote in the Senate, reflecting deep concerns about his tenure in the Justice Department and his ties to the former president. Blanche, who has served as deputy and acting attorney general since April, assumed leadership following the firing of Pam Bondi, Trump’s previous nominee who had received bipartisan support.
Blanche’s confirmation hinges on the backing of a few key Republican senators amid strong opposition from Democrats, who are united against his appointment. Among Republicans, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine has declared she will vote against him, while Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska remains undecided, citing the need for more clarity on commitments Blanche has made. Murkowski’s hesitation centers on Blanche’s promise to formally dismantle a controversial $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” initially created to compensate Trump’s political allies, including participants in the January 6 Capitol attack. Blanche has issued written assurances to that effect, though some senators remain concerned about the potential for similar initiatives to re-emerge.
Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana is another pivotal figure whose support is uncertain. He has expressed worry that Blanche continues to act more as Trump’s personal attorney than an independent attorney general, raising alarm about the possible use of the Justice Department for political purposes. Cassidy emphasized the importance of Blanche demonstrating a clear separation from Trump’s personal legal interests.
Two other Republican senators, John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, also pressed Blanche to provide explicit commitments to end the Anti-Weaponization Fund and to impose limits on tax audit immunity that had been granted to Trump, his sons, and their business entities as part of a highly scrutinized settlement with the Internal Revenue Service. Their conditions were met by Blanche’s written assurances, securing their tentative support.
The IRS settlement itself has been a focal point of controversy, drawing criticism from a federal judge who described the agreement as “improper” due to a lack of genuine independence between the parties. Democrats argue that Blanche’s assurances do not fully prevent the reactivation of politically motivated funds, with Senate Judiciary Committee ranking member Dick Durbin suggesting Trump’s intent to revive such mechanisms remains clear.
Beyond these concerns, Blanche’s handling of sensitive high-profile cases has drawn scrutiny. He oversaw the release of documents related to the late Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, a process marked by delays and significant redactions that raised questions among lawmakers. Blanche also conducted a prison interview in July 2025 with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s convicted associate, shortly before her transfer to a lower-security facility where she reportedly received preferential treatment.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledged efforts to secure enough votes for Blanche’s confirmation, stating he remains hopeful for eventual approval. The vote, expected to be close, underscores ongoing divisions within the Senate over the Justice Department’s independence and the broader issue of potential political influence in federal law enforcement under the Trump administration.