The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as the next attorney general early Saturday, concluding a contentious journey to office for President Trump's former personal attorney. This confirmation marks a significant victory for the Trump administration, despite initial Republican resistance. Some Republicans initially withheld their votes, prompting Trump to threaten to keep Blanche as acting attorney general for months. Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis eventually supported Blanche after he confirmed the abandonment of a controversial $1.776 billion fund for victims of political weaponization. The pre-dawn vote was 50-49, largely along party lines, with all present Democrats, joined by GOP Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, opposing the nomination. Senator Bill Cassidy, initially seen as a potential blocker, ultimately voted in favor. Blanche had already been serving in an acting capacity since spring and will now formally take over the post previously held by Pam Bondi. His tenure as acting attorney general saw the DOJ maintain a close alignment with the White House, pursuing prosecutions favored by the president. Despite securing Republican votes on the controversial fund, Blanche continued to face strong criticism from survivors of Jeffrey Epstein, who found his meetings with them unproductive. This confirmation officially heralds an aggressive new era for the Department of Justice.