Overview
- The Senate confirmed Blanche by a 50–49 roll call after a late-night session, with every Senate Democrat opposed and Republican Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski joining the no votes while Sen. Bill Cassidy cast the pivotal yes.
- Blanche was sworn in at a closed Oval Office ceremony on Monday by Judge Emil Bove and then formally assumed leadership of the Department of Justice.
- To secure key Republican support during his nomination, Blanche issued written orders rescinding the $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund and narrowing earlier tax-audit protections tied to an IRS settlement.
- Lawmakers, victims' advocates and legal experts have criticized Blanche's handling of Epstein-related records and warned the short written rescissions could be vulnerable to court challenge because the original settlement involved multiple parties and judicial oversight.
- Blanche inherits an agency that has seen major departures of career staff and growing judicial skepticism over politically charged prosecutions, making sustained litigation and congressional oversight likely in the months ahead.