Todd Blanche isn't even sworn in, and Democrats already have a new Trump target

WASHINGTON, DC: Attorney General Todd Blanche had barely secured Senate confirmation before Democrats launched a coordinated political offensive, accusing President Donald Trump's former personal attorney of putting loyalty to the president ahead of the Justice Department.

The criticism followed Blanche's confirmation in a largely party-line vote, with every Senate Democrat opposing him and Republican Sens Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski joining them.

Democratic leaders signaled they intend to make Blanche's record at the Justice Department a continuing line of attack against the Trump administration.

Democrats target Trump's attorney

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer argued Blanche's confirmation blurred the line between the presidency and the Justice Department, pointing to his years as Trump's personal attorney before joining the administration.

"If you want to wipe out corruption, you can't have the president's personal attorney as the Attorney General," Schumer wrote after the vote.

He added that Blanche had "no intention of stopping Trump's corruption" and accused Republicans who backed the nomination of enabling it.

Sen Alex Padilla echoed that argument, saying Blanche "has and always will be Trump's personal lawyer- not the American people's lawyer."

Sen Chris Coons also questioned Blanche's independence, saying his loyalty lay with Trump rather than the law.

Epstein files fuel criticism

Several Democrats also cited Blanche's handling of the Justice Department's release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein.

Sen Jacky Rosen criticized what she called a "complete and total mishandling" of the files and said she would continue holding Blanche accountable as attorney general.

House Democrats on the Oversight Committee went further, calling for Blanche to testify under oath about the department's handling of the Epstein files.

The lawmakers alleged he oversaw decisions that affected victims' privacy and accused him of withholding government records, allegations the administration has rejected.

Separately, a group of Epstein survivors had urged senators before the vote to reject Blanche's nomination, arguing the Justice Department failed to adequately protect victims' identities during the release of records.

Opposition crosses party lines

While Democrats voted unanimously against Blanche, Collins and Murkowski became the only Republicans to oppose his confirmation.

Collins said recent actions under Blanche's leadership had further weakened the Justice Department's independence, which she said formed the basis for her vote.

Blanche is now expected to oversee the Justice Department on a permanent basis, while Democrats have already pledged continued oversight of his handling of the Epstein files and other department decisions.