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◆ Mixed look for CollinsEthics / CorruptionCriminal Justice

Schumer Says Blanche Confirmation Gives Trump 'Excuse' for 'Corruption'

Collins voted against Blanche, arguing that the Justice Department had become increasingly political and that its independence had eroded.

Schumer Says Blanche Confirmation Gives Trump 'Excuse' for 'Corruption'
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This article1 analysis · Oct 1, 2026
Newsweek
Aug 8, 2026
tl;dr

The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general in a 50-49 vote, with Bill Cassidy providing the decisive support and Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski opposing him. Chuck Schumer and other critics said the confirmation could weaken the Justice Department’s independence from President Trump.

Community verdict

23 VOTES
How does this story look for
Susan M. Collins R · ME · SEN
● OPEN

People in this story

SWIPE →
Susan M. Collins
R · ME · SEN

Senator who opposed Blanche’s confirmation

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Lisa Murkowski
R · AK · SEN

Senator who opposed Blanche’s confirmation

Murkowski's version of this story ↗
Chuck Schumer
D · NY · SEN

Senate Minority Leader criticizing Blanche’s confirmation

Schumer's version of this story ↗
Chuck Grassley
R · IA · SEN

Senate Judiciary Committee chairman who supported Blanche

Former attorney general who was removed from the role

Todd Blanche
R · Attorney General

Attorney general confirmed by the Senate

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President whose former lawyer was confirmed as attorney general

Ben Ray Luján
D · NM · SEN

Senator who opposed Blanche and raised concerns about the Epstein-related records

Shelley Moore Capito
R · WV · SEN

Senator who voted to confirm Blanche

Nancy Pelosi
D · CA-11

Former House Speaker criticizing the timing and substance of the confirmation

Bill Cassidy
R · LA · SEN

Senator whose support provided the decisive vote for Blanche’s confirmation

White House press secretary who praised Blanche’s confirmation

ALSO MENTIONED  Donald K. Sherman, President and CEO of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington; William Barr, Former attorney general consulted by Cassidy

Part of a bigger story

4 OUTLETS
Senate Confirms Todd Blanche as Attorney General

The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general, replacing Pam Bondi. Susan Collins voted against confirmation, citing concerns about the Justice Department’s independence and politicization. Left-leaning outlets frame the confirmation as Republicans approving Blanche despite objections over the Justice Department’s independence, with The Daily Beast taking a condemnatory tone. Center outlets foreground Chuck Schumer’s warning that the confirmation could weaken the department’s independence from President Trump. Right-leaning outlets focus on the confirmation, GOP objections and negotiations, while noting Collins’s opposition.

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