Todd Blanche confirmed as Trump's new attorney general in razor-thin 4 a.m. vote
The Senate confirmed Blanche as attorney general in a close vote after a late-night standoff.

SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYThe New York Daily News is an established regional newspaper with a named author and a report grounded in the Senate vote and attributed statements. The article also credits news wire services without identifying them, and the short piece provides limited sourcing beyond officials and quoted participants.
- Source type — An established newspaper with a record of original reporting; regional rather than a national newspaper of record.
- Editorial standards — The report attributes statements and supplies vote details, though the brief account offers limited sourcing.
- Author attribution — A named journalist is credited.
- Transparency — The closing credit mentions news wire services but does not identify them.
The report gives the vote tally, identifies the Republican defections, and includes statements from Blanche, Cassidy and Murkowski, alongside context about the dispute. It offers little detail on the administration’s or other senators’ arguments for confirmation and relies mainly on participants’ statements and officials.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The article reports the opposition of Collins, Murkowski and Democrats, and gives Cassidy’s rationale for supporting Blanche. It includes little direct argument from supporters beyond Cassidy and no fuller response from the Trump administration to the concerns raised.
- Counterarguments presented — Cassidy explains his support, while the concerns and opposition to Blanche are also reported.
- Source diversity — Several senators and Blanche are quoted or described, but the administration’s perspective is limited.
- Omitted context — The brief report gives little detail on the arguments of senators who supported confirmation beyond Cassidy.
The article reports the confirmation and senators’ positions in largely factual language. It includes concerns about Blanche’s relationship with Trump and his role in a settlement, as well as Cassidy’s rationale for supporting him.
- Language tone — Mostly straightforward reporting, with no sustained partisan or ideological language.
- Framing — Centers on the close confirmation vote and provides context about the dispute surrounding Blanche.
- Source selection — Includes statements from Blanche, Cassidy and Murkowski, but gives limited space to the case for confirmation.
The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general in a 50-49 vote held after 4 a.m. on Saturday. Bill Cassidy’s announced support helped clear the way, while Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski voted against confirmation.
The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche, President Trump’s former personal attorney, as attorney general in a 50-49 vote after 4 a.m. Saturday. Collins and Murkowski joined all Democrats in voting against him. Blanche thanked Trump and the Senate in a post on X.
Cassidy, who had initially held out, said Friday that he planned to support Blanche on the condition that Blanche and the Justice Department abandon Trump’s fund. Cassidy argued that Blanche might be better able than another acting attorney general to run the department effectively under Trump.
Community verdict
31 VOTESPeople in this story
SWIPE →Senator who announced support for Blanche’s confirmation
Cassidy's version of this story ↗Senator who voted against Blanche’s confirmation
President who nominated Blanche and whose administration was involved in the dispute
Senator who opposed Blanche’s nomination
Part of a bigger story
39 OUTLETSThe Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general after senators split over his nomination. Left-leaning outlets condemn Republican support for Blanche and stress concerns about Justice Department independence. Center outlets focus on the narrow vote, competing positions, and concerns and negotiations surrounding the confirmation. Right-leaning outlets cover the Republican split, with some coverage also highlighting Cassidy’s backing and Trump’s criticism of Murkowski after the vote.
- ARTICLES
- 46
- OUTLETS
- 39
- AVG CRED
- 75
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