Hakeem Jeffries reacts to Todd Blanche confirmation
Blanche was confirmed as attorney general after serving in an acting role and providing written assurances before the vote.

SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYTheGrio is an established national news outlet with an identifiable byline.
- Source type — An established national news outlet.
- Source diversity — Uses Jeffries’s video, official Senate records, and senators’ stated concerns.
- Author attribution — The article has a named author.
- Transparency — The article identifies its principal sources, but gives little information here about corrections practices.
The report includes a direct statement from Jeffries, official confirmation records, and positions from senators on both sides of the vote. It gives useful context for the concerns surrounding Blanche’s confirmation, but offers limited independent examination of those claims.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The report includes Jeffries’s criticism, objections from senators who voted against Blanche, and the fact that Cassidy supported confirmation. It also reports Blanche’s written assurances, though his own perspective is not directly represented.
- Source diversity — Includes a Democratic leader, Republican senators on both sides of the vote, and official records.
- Counterarguments presented — Notes Republican support for Blanche and his written assurances, but does not include a direct response from Blanche.
- Omitted context — The report gives some context for the opposition but limited detail on the administration’s case for Blanche.
- Loaded language — The strongest language appears in Jeffries’s attributed remarks.
The article reports Jeffries’s criticism and includes concerns raised by senators who opposed Blanche, while also noting Republican support and Blanche’s assurances. Its language is largely descriptive rather than overtly partisan.
- Language tone — The report uses largely neutral language and attributes critical descriptions to Jeffries.
- Source selection — It includes Jeffries’s response, senators opposing Blanche, and a Republican senator who supported him.
- Framing — The story centers Jeffries’s reaction to a narrow confirmation vote.
Hakeem Jeffries criticized Senate Republicans after Todd Blanche was confirmed as attorney general by a 50-49 vote. Jeffries said the narrow margin should matter to voters in November.
After Blanche’s confirmation, Jeffries called him “deeply unqualified” and a “political hack” in an Instagram video, arguing that the one-vote margin showed Republicans had “caved.” He urged voters to remember the vote in November. Senate records showed the confirmation passed 50-49, with one senator not voting, and was completed early on Aug. 8.
Republican Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski voted against Blanche, while Sen. Bill Cassidy supported him and Sen. Mitch McConnell did not vote. Collins and Murkowski cited concerns about the Justice Department’s independence and issues including Epstein-related files and tax protections. Blanche provided written assurances concerning the tax-immunity agreement and proposed payments before confirmation.
Community verdict
29 VOTESPeople in this story
SWIPE →House Democratic leader criticizing Blanche’s confirmation
Jeffries's version of this story ↗Senator who voted against Blanche’s confirmation
President and Blanche’s former client
Senate Republican leader who did not vote
Senator who voted against Blanche’s confirmation
Senator who supported Blanche’s confirmation
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
- WFAE 90.7 - Charlotte's NPR News Source · U.S. Rep. Edwards to be replaced, while Senate confirms Blanche before recess, punting other priorities
- Yahoo News · Bill Cassidy says Todd Blanche vote wasn't 'black or white decision'
- Hawaii Tribune-Herald · Senate Republicans narrowly confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general
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