The U.S. Senate narrowly confirmed President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer Todd Blanche as attorney general early Saturday, ending a prolonged standoff over his leadership of the Justice Department.
Blanche, who had served as acting attorney general since April, was approved 50-49, with Republican Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski joining every Democrat in opposition.
Republican Senator Bill Cassidy provided the decisive support after weeks of scrutiny surrounding Blanche's record and relationship with Trump.
Republican concerns focused partly on Blanche's handling of a settlement involving Trump's lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service and a proposed $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund.
The fund was intended to compensate people who alleged mistreatment by the criminal justice system, but critics feared payments could benefit individuals prosecuted over the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
Under pressure from Republican senators, Blanche pledged in writing to abandon the fund and rein in another element of the settlement concerning IRS audits of Trump and his family.
Questions also emerged over Blanche's handling of the release of investigative files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Murkowski said she lacked confidence that Blanche would check the administration's impulses and cited concerns about politicisation at the Justice Department.
Cassidy, however, said Blanche was the strongest candidate Trump was likely to nominate and argued that Senate confirmation could strengthen his position when dealing with presidential demands.
Blanche became acting attorney general after Trump fired Pam Bondi in April, having previously served as deputy attorney general and overseen the department's daily operations.
A former federal prosecutor in New York, Blanche later became a prominent member of Trump's legal team, representing him in his New York criminal trial and federal criminal cases.
Democrats have questioned whether Blanche can maintain sufficient independence from Trump, while Republican supporters have emphasized his prosecutorial experience and ability to communicate legal constraints to the president.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley said Blanche had led the department with distinction.
Following confirmation, Blanche said he was "deeply honored by the trust and confidence President Trump has placed in me."
His confirmation now formally places him at the head of the Justice Department after months of acting leadership.