Todd Blanche Sworn In as US Attorney General After Narrow Senate Vote
Todd Blanche, former personal lawyer to US President Donald Trump, was sworn in as attorney general on Monday at the White House. The oath was administered by Emil Bove, another former Trump lawyer who now serves as a federal appeal court judge. The swearing-in followed a narrow Senate confirmation vote on Saturday, which passed 50-49, with two Republicans opposing Blanche due to concerns about increased politicisation of the Justice Department under Trump. Blanche had been leading the department in an acting capacity since Pam Bondi's firing in April. He now faces the challenge of navigating Trump's demands to use the agency to target political foes, while the department has been hollowed out by resignations, firings, and voluntary departures, and is facing mounting pushback from the courts.
Key facts
- Todd Blanche was sworn in as attorney general on Monday.
- Emil Bove administered the oath of office at the White House.
- The Senate confirmed Blanche by a 50-49 vote on Saturday.
- Two Republicans opposed Blanche due to politicisation concerns.
- Blanche had been acting attorney general since Pam Bondi's firing in April.
- He is a former federal prosecutor in New York.
- The Justice Department has been hollowed out by resignations and firings.
- The department faces mounting pushback from the courts.
Entities
Institutions
- US Senate
- Justice Department
- White House
Locations
- United States
- Washington, D.C.