Senate narrowly votes to confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general

Overnight on Saturday, the U.S. Senate narrowly voted to confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general of the United States in a 50-49 vote. The vote largely fell along party lines, with every Democrat voting against the confirmation, while two Republicans—Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska—also opposed the measure. Blanche, 52, was born in Colorado but spent much of his life in Florida before becoming a federal prosecutor and partner in a renowned New York city law firm. 

The only senator not to cast a vote was Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who continued to recover at home after an unspecified ailment in June resulted in his weekslong hospitalization. 

What was the reaction? In a Saturday statement, Blanche expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump for nominating him to be the attorney general, as well as to senators for working into the early morning hours to confirm him.  He added that he was deeply honored to fill the role. 

Blanche would lead with integrity and accountability, according to a statement issued Saturday by Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wy. Barrasso added that Blanche's leadership would be fearless, focused, and fair. 

Democrats, by contrast, criticized the choice. Pointing out that Blanche previously served as Trump’s personal attorney, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement that Blanche’s confirmation only paved the way for Trump to continue what Schumer characterized as his assault on the rule of law and his undermining of democratic values.