The US Senate has confirmed Todd Blanche, former personal lawyer to President Donald Trump, as the country’s attorney general.

The confirmation came on Saturday after Senate Republicans overcame Democratic opposition.

Blanche, who had been serving in an acting capacity, was approved by a vote of 50 to 49. He previously represented Trump in several criminal trials before joining the government.
Democrats strongly opposed the nomination, arguing that it risked turning the Justice Department into a political tool.

They maintained that the attorney general should serve the public rather than act as the president’s personal lawyer.

Some Republican senators had raised concerns over proposals linked to a fund for alleged victims of politicised prosecutions and tax audit immunity for Trump and his family. Blanche addressed these issues with written commitments that helped secure the necessary support.

Before entering government, Blanche was part of Trump’s legal team in high-profile cases, including the New York “hush money” trial and federal cases that were later dropped. His confirmation marks another significant appointment in the Trump administration.

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