Kathmandu— The US Senate narrowly approved President Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general in an early morning vote on Saturday, making Todd Blanche the nation's top law enforcement officer. The Republican-controlled body delivered a 50-49 vote to confirm the controversial figure, securing his appointment despite opposition from several lawmakers and concerns regarding his independence from the presidency.

A Narrow Margin of Victory

The confirmation was secured after Louisiana Republican Bill Cassidy provided the deciding vote. Cassidy's support followed a shift in the chamber's dynamics, as Republican senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine joined Democrats in voting against the appointment.

In explaining her opposition, Murkowski said the country was in need of an attorney general "who will check the worst impulses of this administration." Conversely, Cassidy outlined his own conversion on the Senate floor, stating he believed Blanche's relationship with Trump would make him effective at pushing back against the president's demands.

Concerns Over Department Independence

The appointment has sparked intense debate over whether Blanche will serve as the nation's lawyer or merely as the president's personal attorney. This concern stems from Trump's frequent expressions of needing an attorney general who will prioritize his interests over the traditional independence of the Department of Justice.

"The attorney general is supposed to be the people's lawyer," Illinois Democratic Senator Dick Durbin said during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Durbin, the Committee's ranking Democrat, added that Blanche "continues to operate as the president's personal lawyer, treating the Justice Department like a law firm serving one client — the president."

Policy Concessions and Controversial Proposals

Blanche's path to confirmation was cleared by promising to scrap a $1.776 billion compensation fund intended for presidential political allies, including those involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. This fund had been a primary point of contention for retiring Republican senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, both of whom vowed to vote against the nominee unless the fund was dropped.

Blanche also addressed concerns regarding a directive that would shield the president, his two eldest sons, and the Trump Organization from tax audits and penalties for life. He assured senators that the proposed tax immunity would only be applied "retroactively" and not to future filings, a move that helped facilitate the successful vote.

Legal Background and DOJ Impact

A former federal prosecutor, Blanche previously served as Trump's personal defense lawyer. He defended the president in cases involving the falsification of business records and the mishandling of classified documents, both of which were dropped following Trump's 2024 reelection.

Since serving as acting attorney general since April, the Department of Justice has seen a significant loss of personnel through firing, resignation, or voluntary departure. Blanche's tenure has also included oversight of high-profile matters, such as the release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein and the transfer of Ghislaine Maxwell to a minimum-security prison in Texas.

Blanche expressed that he is "deeply honored" by the trust placed in him to lead the Department of Justice as the nation's 88th attorney general.

(With inputs from DW)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.