Todd Blanche formally sworn in as attorney general

Todd Blanche was formerly sworn in as attorney general on Monday, following his 50-49 confirmation vote last week.

Blanche had held the post in an acting capacity for several months after President Donald Trump fired Pam Bondi.

The signing ceremony took place at the Oval Office.

Blanche's confirmation was in peril for a time, due to the opposition of Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina and John Cornyn of Texas, both of whom sought written assurances that the DOJ would end an "anti-weaponization fund" it created as part of a settlement with the IRS over the leak of Trump's tax returns.

Blanche ultimately secured the votes of both men, but Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine opposed him. With Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., still recovering from a fall, Blanche secured 50 votes, with no Democratic crossover.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.