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Senate Confirms Todd Blanche After Handful Of GOP Holdouts Threatened His Nomination

Collins said the Justice Department had become too political and voted against Blanche’s confirmation.

Senate Confirms Todd Blanche After Handful Of GOP Holdouts Threatened His Nomination
Image · The Daily Caller

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Outlet credibilityThe Daily Caller53/100 MEDIUM
This article1 analysis · Oct 1, 2026
tl;dr

The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general by a 50-49 vote after Republican senators raised concerns about a Justice Department fund and other issues. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski voted against him, while John Cornyn and Thom Tillis reached a deal with Blanche and supported advancing his nomination.

Community verdict

13 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
Thom Tillis
R · NC · SEN

Senator who sought assurances from Blanche before supporting advancement of his nomination

Tillis's version of this story ↗
Lisa Murkowski
R · AK · SEN

Senator who opposed Blanche’s confirmation

Murkowski's version of this story ↗
John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Senator who sought assurances from Blanche before supporting advancement of his nomination

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

Senate Judiciary Committee chairman who postponed a markup of Blanche’s nomination

Former attorney general whom Trump fired before Blanche became acting attorney general

Todd Blanche
R · Attorney General

Acting attorney general whose nomination to the position was confirmed

Former attorney general mentioned as a comparison to Collins and Murkowski’s votes

Elissa Slotkin
D · MI · SEN

Senator cited by Collins in describing attempted indictments by the Justice Department

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President whose family was referenced in senators’ concerns about the IRS settlement

Bill Cassidy
R · LA · SEN

Senator who announced he would support Blanche’s confirmation

Mark Kelly
D · AZ · SEN

Senator cited by Collins in describing attempted indictments by the Justice Department

Ruben Gallego
D · AZ · SEN

Senator who said he would attend the vote despite an emergency involving his wife

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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