Todd Blanche was sworn in as U.S. attorney general on August 10, 2026, following his Senate confirmation earlier that month, the Department of Justice says.
The Justice Department’s staff profile notes Blanche was “sworn in as the 88th Attorney General of the United States on August 10th, 2026,” and the Senate vote that cleared his nomination took place on August 8, 2026, according to the Associated Press.
Blanche’s confirmation was narrow and contested. The AP reported the Senate confirmed him in an overnight vote on August 8, 2026, after a bruising fight that divided senators and drew public opposition from groups including the New York City Bar Association.
Photos posted by the White House show Blanche taking the oath at a ceremony on August 10; the White House gallery lists images from that swearing-in. The Department of Justice listing for the attorney general also carries a swearing-in date and a staff profile.
Since taking office, Blanche has appeared at White House briefings reported by this site and others; a recent White House Rose Garden appearance on September 15, 2026, is in the site’s archive and shows him speaking at a public briefing.
The confirmation and swearing-in followed months of advocacy and opposition documented by legal groups and press outlets; the New York City Bar Association published its recommendation urging the Senate to reject the nomination in July, according to its public statement.
What this means for Justice Department priorities will unfold as Blanche sets policy and makes personnel choices; outlets covering the confirmation noted senators were split over questions of loyalty and independence during floor debate.
Sources
- Department of Justice — staff profile listing Blanche’s swearing-in date and role.
- Associated Press — reported the Senate confirmation vote on August 8, 2026, and described the narrow, contested outcome.
- White House — gallery of swearing-in photos dated August 10, 2026.
- The Hill — coverage of the Senate confirmation and vote dynamics.
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