NEW: Todd Blanche emerges as President Trump’s new attorney general after a confirmation fight that nearly fell apart.
Blanche survived Republican defections from Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, with Sen. Bill Cassidy stepping in as the crucial last-minute ally to get Trump’s former personal lawyer across the finish line.
“I am grateful to the Senate for staying late to complete this process,” Blanche says after the vote, calling it a deep honor to have Trump’s “trust and confidence” to lead the Justice Department.
Blanche now officially replaces Pam Bondi as the nation’s 88th attorney general.
Thank you❤️
