PODCAST:
August 10, 2026 ~ Chris Renwick and Lloyd Jackson check in with Brad Roth, professor of law and political science at Wayne State University Law School, about the confirmation of Todd Blanche as the U.S. attorney general.
WASHINGTON D.C. ~ Despite some pushback from Republicans, President Donald Trump’s pick for the nation’s next attorney general was narrowly approved by the Senate over the weekend.
Todd Blanche, Trump’s former personal lawyer, was approved in a 50-49 vote, with U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) viewed as the deciding vote after announcing he would support Blanche’s nomination after initially making public reservations about him. GOP Senators Susan Collins (ME) and Lisa Murkowski (AL) joined all Democrats in voting against his nomination, while Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) was not present for the vote due to his recovery from a recent medical episode.
Blanche, who was already serving as deputy attorney general before his nomination, replaces former Attorney General Pam Bondi, who was removed from her position back in April.
