Todd Blanche confirmed as attorney general
Murkowski joined Collins in opposing Blanche, saying the country needs an attorney general who will check the administration’s impulses.

SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYKHBS is a local news outlet, a source type that generally has newsroom standards but less national reporting capacity than major wire services or newspapers of record. The article is detailed and attributes several views, though the author is not identified here.
- Source type — Established local-news publisher; a credible but not top-tier national source.
- Editorial standards — The reporting includes multiple positions and specific details, though the publisher's correction practices are not evident here.
- Transparency — The article identifies the people and institutions involved, but the author is not identified.
The article gives the vote tally, explains the central dispute, and includes statements and positions from supporters and opponents. It is detailed and generally attributes opinions, though it does not identify the author or provide documentary links for the settlement claims.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The article presents arguments from supporters and critics and explains the settlement dispute that shaped the confirmation fight. It gives substantial attention to concerns about Blanche’s loyalty to Trump, but also includes supporting statements and the rationale offered by Republicans who backed him.
- Counterarguments presented — Includes both criticism of Blanche’s confirmation and arguments from Cassidy, Grassley, and other supporters.
- Source diversity — Quotes or paraphrases senators from both parties, though most perspectives come from elected officials.
- Framing — The narrative centers on concerns about independence and the settlement, with supporting views also represented.
The article reports the confirmation and the concerns on both sides in largely neutral language. Its framing emphasizes the controversy over Blanche’s relationship with Trump and the proposed settlement, while also presenting supporters’ arguments.
- Language tone — Mostly descriptive language, with attributed characterizations of the confirmation fight.
- Source selection — Includes views from senators who supported and opposed confirmation, as well as descriptions of supporters’ arguments.
- Framing — Highlights questions about independence and the settlement dispute without clearly endorsing a side.
The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general by a 50-49 vote early Saturday, after he agreed in writing to withdraw a controversial settlement proposal. Republican senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski opposed his confirmation, while Bill Cassidy supplied a decisive vote in support.
The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general by a 50-49 vote, making him the second confirmed attorney general since President Donald Trump returned to the White House. Blanche had been leading the Justice Department in an acting capacity. Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski voted against him; Bill Cassidy backed him and was described as the decisive vote. Dick Durbin called confirmation a “serious mistake,” while Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley endorsed Blanche.
The article says Republican concerns centered in part on a proposed settlement that included a $1.8 billion compensation fund and tax-audit protections for Trump and his family. Under pressure from senators including John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, Blanche promised in writing to abandon the fund and rein in the tax-audit provision. The article also describes Blanche’s prior work on Trump’s legal matters and his actions as acting attorney general, including investigations involving Trump’s perceived foes.
Community verdict
15 VOTESPeople in this story
SWIPE →Senator and Judiciary Committee chairman who endorsed Blanche
Blanche’s predecessor as attorney general
Attorney general confirmed by the Senate
Senator who voted against Blanche’s confirmation
President and Blanche’s former client
Former president referenced in connection with federal criminal cases
Senator who opposed Blanche’s confirmation
Senator who pressed Blanche to rescind the settlement provisions
Senator whose support provided a decisive vote for Blanche
Senator who pressed Blanche to rescind the settlement provisions
Part of a bigger story
31 OUTLETSOutlets agree that the Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general and Lisa Murkowski voted against confirmation. Left-leaning outlets connect Murkowski’s opposition to concerns about Justice Department politicization and frame Blanche’s confirmation around his ties to Trump. Center outlets emphasize the narrow vote, Republican dissent, and negotiations over a proposed fund. Right-leaning outlets present Murkowski’s opposition as a Republican complication, with some coverage treating it as a challenge to party unity.
- ARTICLES
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- OUTLETS
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- AVG CRED
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