Lead

Todd Blanche, President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, has been confirmed as US attorney general, the nation's top law enforcement official. The Senate voted 50-49 along party lines, with all Democrats opposing and two Republicans — Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski — joining them in voting against.

The vote ended a lengthy standoff between Senate Republicans and the Trump administration over Blanche, who had served as acting attorney general since April. Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana was the deciding vote, announcing Friday that he would support Blanche after weeks of scrutiny over the Justice Department's independence from the White House.

Coverage comparison

Reporting from BBC and the South China Morning Post both emphasize the contentious nature of Blanche's nomination. The South China Morning Post described it as "one of the most contentious cabinet fights" of Trump's second term, while BBC noted the end of a standoff marked by "acrimony" between the administration and some senators.

Both outlets highlighted Senator Cassidy's pivotal role. The South China Morning Post reported that Cassidy emerged as the probable deciding vote after Murkowski announced her opposition, while BBC noted that Washington had anxiously awaited his decision given long-standing tensions between Trump and the Louisiana senator.

Key Claims

  • Blanche won confirmation in a 50-49 vote, with Republican Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski opposing him, according to BBC.
  • Senator Bill Cassidy was the deciding vote, after announcing he believed Blanche was the best option the president would put forward, as reported by BBC.
  • Concerns over independence from the White House nearly derailed the nomination, according to the South China Morning Post, which noted that such concerns spanned both parties.
  • Blanche has opened investigations into Trump's critics and declared that the department serves at the direction of the president, as reported by South China Morning Post. The report also cited an exodus of career prosecutors under his leadership.

Perspectives

Republican Senator Bill Cassidy: The Louisiana senator said he supported Blanche, despite criticizing his role in settling Trump's lawsuit against the IRS and the creation of a $1.8 billion fund. He said he ultimately trusted Blanche to give the president candid legal advice (BBC; South China Morning Post). Cass's support was decisive.

Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski: She opposed Blanche, citing her lack of confidence in Blanche to "check the worst impulses of this administration," as reported by BBC. She also raised concerns about the "politicisation" of the justice.

Republican Senator Susan Collins: Also opposed the nomination, raising concerns about Blanche's role in settling Trump's $10 billion lawsuit with the IRS, though BBC reported she said she ultimately trusted him to give candid legal advice.

Democratic senators: All Democrats voted against the nomination, according to BBC, though no specific Democratic commentary was cited in the provided coverage.