Global Markets
Home›Global Markets›North America›Todd Blanche sworn in as US attorney general after 50-…
Todd Blanche sworn in as US attorney general after 50-49 vote
Blanche takes over an Justice Department he had led in an acting capacity since Pam Bondi’s April firing, with the Senate confirming him by a single vote.
Todd Blanche, Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer, was sworn in as US attorney general on Monday after a contentious Senate confirmation that ended in a 50-49 vote, the narrowest possible margin. Associated Press reports the oath was administered by Emil Bove, a former Trump lawyer who now serves on a federal appeals court.
Bove administered the oath at the White House following Saturday’s confirmation vote, and Blanche then went to the Justice Department headquarters where employees lined up along the entrance to cheer, Associated Press said. Blanche, a former federal prosecutor in New York, is officially taking command of the department.
Blanche has been leading the Justice Department in an acting capacity since Pam Bondi was fired in April, the outlet reported. With the confirmation battle behind him, he faces the task of managing demands from a president who has signaled a desire to use law enforcement to pursue political priorities.
Associated Press said Blanche is stepping into an agency that has been weakened by resignations, firings, and voluntary departures, while also confronting increased pushback from the courts. The confirmation was opposed by two Republicans who cited concerns about greater politicization of the department under Trump.