national
Senate confirms Todd Blanche as United States Attorney General
Just the facts
The confirmation vote concluded after key Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana declared his support, while Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted against the nomination. Blanche previously served as President Trump's criminal defense attorney in federal and state proceedings prior to his nomination. His confirmation places him in charge of the federal law enforcement apparatus and the Department of Justice, which manages an annual executive budget and federal prosecutions. Democrats in the chamber raised concerns over an executive discretionary fund, while supporters emphasized Blanche's prior legal experience as a federal prosecutor.
Why this is news
The U.S. Senate voted early Saturday morning to confirm Todd Blanche as the United States Attorney General following weeks of deliberations in Congress. The vote passed with a narrow 50-49 margin to elevate President Donald Trump's former personal defense lawyer to lead the Department of Justice.
Sources
This summary is compiled strictly from the original reporting below.