The US Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general in a narrow early-morning vote on Saturday, cementing President Donald Trump's grip on the Department of Justice and deepening worries among European observers about the erosion of legal norms in Washington.
Blanche, who had been serving in an acting capacity since April, previously represented Trump as his private defense attorney in several criminal trials. The Senate, where Republicans hold a slim majority, voted 50 to 49, with Republican senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski joining Democrats in opposition—a sign of the unease the nomination stirred even within the president's own party.
Blanche is the second confirmed attorney general since Trump returned to the White House with an explicit pledge to use federal law enforcement against his political adversaries. His predecessor, Pam Bondi, was dismissed in April, and Blanche stepped in as acting head of the department.
Independence under threat
The confirmation followed a turbulent battle that exposed bipartisan concern about placing a close Trump ally atop an institution that has long prided itself on autonomy from the White House. Democrats opposed Blanche from the outset, accusing Trump of weaponizing the Justice Department for personal gain.
"The attorney general is supposed to be the people's lawyer," said Senator Dick Durbin, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee. "Mr. Blanche continues to operate as the president's personal lawyer, treating the Justice Department like a law firm serving one client—the president."
Blanche's path to confirmation was not smooth. A key sticking point was a proposed $1.8 billion (€1.5 billion) fund for what Trump called victims of politicized prosecutions—a category that could include those who stormed the US Capitol on 6 January 2021. Another contentious proposal would have granted Trump immunity from tax audits. Blanche defused internal party opposition by issuing a written order over the weekend scrapping the so-called anti-weaponization fund and limiting the audit immunity agreement with Trump, his two eldest sons, and the Trump Organization to past tax years only.
"I am deeply honored by the trust and confidence President Trump has placed in me to lead the Department of Justice," Blanche wrote on X, thanking the Senate for staying late to complete the process.
European concerns
For European policymakers and legal experts, the confirmation reinforces fears that the United States is drifting from the rule-of-law principles that have underpinned transatlantic cooperation. The Justice Department has historically been a key partner for European agencies in cross-border investigations, from counterterrorism to corruption cases. Its politicization could complicate future collaboration, particularly in areas like freezing Russian assets and enforcing sanctions, where US legal authority is crucial.
Blanche's record has also drawn criticism from victims of Jeffrey Epstein over the handling of investigative files related to the convicted sex offender, who was a one-time associate of Trump. Prior to joining the Justice Department, Blanche represented Trump in the New York "hush money" trial involving Stormy Daniels and was part of the legal team in two federal cases brought by special counsel Jack Smith—one over classified documents and another over attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.
The confirmation comes amid a broader pattern of Trump seeking to bring nominally independent agencies under his direct control. Democrats have labeled the effort a "retribution" campaign against the president's opponents, and Blanche's role in that campaign has made him a polarizing figure even before his formal confirmation.
As the US moves forward with this new leadership at the Justice Department, European capitals will be watching closely. The independence of American legal institutions has long been a cornerstone of the transatlantic relationship, and its erosion could have far-reaching consequences for international law enforcement and democratic governance.
