Todd Blanche narrowly confirmed as US attorney general despite concerns over Trump ties

The US Senate has narrowly confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general, approving Donald Trump's former personal lawyer by 50 votes to 49. Blanche had been serving as acting attorney general and will now permanently lead the Justice Department. His confirmation faced unanimous Democratic opposition and resistance from two Republicans, amid concerns about his ties to Trump and the independence of the department. Some Republican senators backed him after Blanche agreed to cancel a controversial $1.8bn anti-weaponisation fund and gave assurances it would not be revived. Critics also questioned his handling of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and accused him of putting Trump's interests ahead of the rule of law.

Al Jazeera's Patty Culhane reports from Washington, DC.

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