Blanche sworn in as U.S. attorney general

Todd Blanche was formally sworn in as U.S. Attorney General on Monday, becoming the second person to hold the post in President Donald Trump’s second term. The ceremony took place in the Oval Office, with Trump looking on as Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath of office. Blanche’s confirmation capped a rapid ascent from Trump’s personal lawyer in the 2020 election aftermath to the nation’s top law enforcement official.

This appointment marks a turning point in Trump’s second-term agenda, signaling an aggressive push to reshape the Justice Department in line with the president’s priorities. Blanche replaces Jeffrey Rosen, who was pushed out after resisting Trump’s pressure to overturn the 2020 election results. His confirmation comes amid a broader purge of senior DOJ officials and a renewed focus on investigating Trump’s political opponents, including the ongoing prosecutions of Hunter Biden and other Democrats.

Blanche’s confirmation was secured last week with a party-line vote, 50-49, after Republicans used a fast-track procedure to bypass the usual 60-vote threshold. His selection reflects Trump’s preference for loyalists over institutionalists, a trend that has accelerated since the 2024 election. The move has raised concerns among legal experts and Democrats about the politicization of the Justice Department and its independence from the White House.

In the coming weeks, Blanche is expected to oversee a series of politically charged investigations, including potential prosecutions of Trump’s rivals and a review of past cases involving his allies. The shift could further erode public trust in the DOJ’s impartiality, already strained by Trump’s repeated demands for retribution against perceived enemies. The next step will be Blanche’s first major policy address or memo, likely outlining his priorities for the department’s next four years.