Trump ally Todd Blanche confirmed as US attorney general, sparking independence worries

The Senate narrowly approved Todd Blanche—Trump’s close ally who has acted as attorney general—to lead the DOJ by a 50–49 vote, raising concerns about the department’s independence from the White House. The confirmation followed a bruising fight over a proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund and Trump tax-audit immunity, which Blanche later scrapped or limited to past tax years, amid Democratic warnings that the DOJ could be weaponized against opponents and Republicans divided. Blanche has represented Trump in multiple cases, including hush-money and classified-documents matters, underscoring his deep ties to the former president.