Trump’s former personal lawyer narrowly confirmed as US attorney general

What the report says

US President Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer, Todd Blanche, has been narrowly confirmed as US attorney general after a 50-49 Senate vote, according to Al Jazeera’s report based on AP and Reuters. The vote came on Aug. 8, 2026, after a contentious confirmation process that drew bipartisan concern over the independence of the Justice Department.

Blanche had been serving as acting head of the department since Trump fired Pam Bondi in April 2026. He previously represented Trump in several criminal cases, and critics argued that his close ties to the president raised the risk of political influence over federal law enforcement. Those concerns also centered on Blanche’s role in Trump administration efforts tied to a so-called anti-weaponisation initiative and related tax arrangements for the president and his family.

Republican senators pressed Blanche over the handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related document releases and the structure of the payments and tax terms. He reportedly agreed in writing to limit the tax deal and end the payments, though questions remained about whether those commitments would be binding. Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy cast the deciding vote. The appointment matters because the attorney general leads a department that is expected to operate independently from the White House, and Blanche’s confirmation could give Trump’s team greater room to shape Justice Department priorities.