Senate Judiciary Committee approves Todd Blanche as Attorney General, nomination heads to full Senate vote

Published Aug 4, 03:07 PM UTC

Todd Blanche, President Donald Trump's nominee for Attorney General, was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee in a 12-10 party-line vote on August 4, 2026. The vote followed a deal Blanche struck with Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis to end the controversial 'anti-weaponization fund,' which had stalled his nomination. Democrats criticized the deal as a sham, expressing concerns the fund could be revived. Blanche, currently acting attorney general and Trump's former personal attorney, now faces a full Senate vote where he needs 50 votes for confirmation. With Republicans holding a 53-47 majority and Senator Mitch McConnell absent, Blanche can afford only two defections. Several GOP senators, including Lisa Murkowski, Bill Cassidy, and Susan Collins, have not committed to supporting him.