On Saturday 8 August, the United States Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as the country’s Attorney General. The nomination, put forward by President Donald Trump, was supported by 50 senators, whilst 49 voted against it.
Two Republican women – Susan Collins and Lisa Merkauski – opposed Blanch’s appointment. The deciding vote came from Republican Bill Cassidy, who had stated the day before that he considered Blanche “the best candidate Trump could have nominated for this post”.
Blanch’s confirmation as US Attorney General brought to a close one of the most controversial appointments of the Trump administration during his second presidential term.
Blanch’s nomination nearly failed due to concerns raised by senators from both parties regarding his ‘independence’. Opponents questioned his ability to “act independently of the president” and to prevent political interference in the work of the US Department of Justice.
Blanche was previously Trump’s lawyer and represented him in criminal proceedings. It was precisely his closeness to the president that became one of the main reasons for criticism during the appointment process.
Following the vote, Blanche will take the helm of the US Department of Justice and become the country’s chief federal prosecutor.