Senate Panel Approves Todd Blanche as Attorney General

Todd Blanche, former personal lawyer to President Donald Trump, moved closer to becoming the U.S. Attorney General after the Senate Judiciary Committee approved his nomination with a 12-10 vote, primarily along party lines.

The approval followed the resolution of concerns from Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis regarding a $1.8 billion fund intended for alleged victims of politically motivated prosecution and a tax audit immunity deal involving Trump. Blanche scrapped the "anti-weaponization fund" and clarified that the audit immunity agreement would apply retroactively.

He has been serving as acting attorney general since Trump dismissed Pam Bondi in April. Senate Democrats, led by Dick Durbin, expressed strong opposition, arguing that Blanche treats the Justice Department as an extension of Trump's legal team.

Vice President JD Vance praised Blanche's loyalty to the Trump Administration. Blanche's nomination is expected to be voted on by the full Senate later this week.