Todd Blanche was sworn in Monday as attorney general, taking control of the US Justice Department days after the Senate confirmed him by the narrowest of margins. The vote came early Saturday following a bruising confirmation fight that exposed bipartisan concerns about the department's direction under President Donald Trump.
Blanche, a former personal lawyer for Trump, received the oath of office at the White House from Emil Bove, another former Trump attorney who now serves as a federal appeals court judge. The swearing-in formally placed Blanche at the helm of the Justice Department, where he will oversee federal law enforcement and legal policy.
Senators from both parties had voiced worries during the confirmation process about the department's independence and its trajectory under the Republican president. The close vote underscored the divisions over Blanche's nomination. He now takes over an agency that has been at the center of political debate, with critics questioning whether it will maintain its traditional autonomy from the White House.
Blanche's appointment marks a notable shift, as a president's personal defense lawyer moves directly into the top law-enforcement role. No further details about his immediate plans were provided.