The US Senate has confirmed Todd Blanche, a former personal attorney to President Donald Trump, as the country’s next Attorney General, despite strong objections from Democrats over concerns about the politicisation of the Justice Department.
Blanche was approved by the Republican-controlled Senate in a 50-49 vote, formally elevating him to lead the US Department of Justice after he had already been serving as acting attorney general.
Before joining the administration, Blanche represented Trump in several criminal cases as his private lawyer.
His close professional relationship with the president became a major point of contention during his confirmation process, with Democrats questioning whether he could maintain the independence of the Justice Department.
Republicans, however, rejected those concerns and backed Blanche’s nomination.
Following the vote, Blanche described his confirmation as a significant honour and thanked Trump, the Senate and Justice Department personnel for their confidence in him.
“I am deeply honoured by the trust and confidence President Trump has placed in me,” Blanche said in a statement, pledging to lead the department as the 88th Attorney General of the United States.
US senate confirms Trump’s former lawyer Todd Blanche as Attorney General