By a one vote margin, 50-49, the United States Senate voted early Saturday morning to approve President Donald Trump’s nomination of Todd Blanche, his former personal attorney and acting attorney general, to be the permanent Attorney General of the United States. Todd’s nomination was opposed by every Democrat and two Republicans, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.
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Senator Martin Heinrich, a Democrat, issued this statement:
“I voted against Mr. Blanche’s nomination because he has repeatedly shown that his loyalty is to Donald Trump – not to the Constitution or the American people.
“He has transformed the Department of Justice into the President’s personal law firm, using it to enrich and protect Donald Trump and his family. Mr. Blanche also helped establish a nearly $2 billion slush fund that rewards President Trump’s allies, including violent criminals who attacked cops on January 6. And he has withheld critical information related to Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes at Zorro Ranch by refusing to provide full, unredacted investigative records from the Department of Justice to New Mexico law enforcement authorities. Time and again, Mr. Blanche has put politics and personal loyalty ahead of justice.
“The Attorney General’s job is to uphold the rule of law, deliver on public safety, and ensure that justice is applied fairly and independently. The American people deserve an Attorney General they can trust to do that. Todd Blanche has made it abundantly clear that he is not that person.”
U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, Aug. 8, 2026
Senator Ben Ray Luján, a Democrat, issued this statement:
“The Attorney General’s duty is to uphold the rule of law, defend the Constitution, and ensure that justice is applied fairly and equally to every American. Todd Blanche’s record makes it clear that he cannot carry out those responsibilities independently of President Trump.
“The survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s horrific crimes — and the American people — deserve transparency and accountability, not continued efforts to withhold information or shield those in positions of power. Under Todd Blanche’s leadership, the DOJ will continue putting President Trump’s personal and political interests ahead of justice and accountability for victims.
“Todd Blanche’s confirmation will only further erode public trust in one of our nation’s most important institutions. I will continue fighting to protect the independence of the DOJ and ensure that no one is above the law.”
U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján, Aug. 8, 2026