Power Grab/Fire anyone who can stop him
At his confirmation hearing, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche rejects the idea that the Justice Department should be independent of the president
Blanche, Trump’s former criminal defense lawyer, testified for five hours before the Senate Judiciary Committee on his nomination to the post permanently. The Senate confirmed him 50–49.
What happened
On July 15, 2026, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told the Senate Judiciary Committee that the Justice Department should not be independent of the White House, saying Article II places it under the president’s purview. He also said he would not be a “yes man,” and told Sen. Chris Coons he would refuse an illegal order.
Blanche confirmed under oath that the $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” created in the Trump IRS settlement was “dead.” He said he had “no idea” why Trump fired Pam Bondi in April. Blanche had been Trump’s lead defense lawyer in the New York hush-money trial, and deputy attorney general since March 2025.
The Senate confirmed Blanche 50–49 on August 8, after the Judiciary Committee advanced him 12–10 on August 4. He was sworn in August 10. He had served as acting attorney general since Trump fired Bondi.
Who benefited
Trump installed his own former criminal defense lawyer atop the Justice Department, with that lawyer’s sworn statement that the department is not independent of him. Blanche went from private counsel to attorney general in 18 months.
Who wanted something
Trump nominated Blanche in June after removing Bondi, reportedly over her handling of Trump’s enemies and the Epstein files. Senate Republicans supplied the votes, with Sen. Bill Cassidy’s August 7 decision securing confirmation over Murkowski’s and Collins’s opposition.
Who lost out
The post-Watergate understanding that the attorney general enforces the law at arm’s length from the president was disavowed on the record by the nominee. Career prosecutors’ charging decisions now sit under a chief who describes Trump as “my boss.” Epstein survivors left meetings with Blanche saying he was dismissive.
Why it matters
Blanche declined, under oath, to affirm the independence in prosecutions that every attorney general since 1976 has affirmed, and was confirmed anyway. Every attorney general serves the president. The vote was 50–49.