Blanche set to lead a Justice Department shaped to serve Trump | CNN Politics

Todd Blanche, who risked his career as a prestigious member of New York’s legal establishment to keep Donald Trump out of jail, was confirmed on Saturday as the attorney general. Blanche, 52, will now permanently act as the nation’s top law enforcement officer under the leadership of his former client. He was confirmed by a vote of 50 to 49 with GOP Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski voting with Democrats against the nomination. Since Trump re-entered the Oval Office, Blanche has been instrumental in reshaping the department in the president’s image, effectively switching from being the face of Trump’s defense to the face of his far-reaching retribution campaign. He put forth legal arguments that expand the powers and protection around the presidency, oversaw the mass firings of experienced prosecutors and longtime officials, and spearheaded a legal strategy that has made judges across the nation question the department’s decisions. And in just the few months since he was appointed acting attorney general, the Justice Department has brought indictments against political figures, including former FBI Director James Comey, issued subpoenas seeking to identify journalist