Editorial cartoons for Aug. 9, 2026: Todd Blanche confirmed, Iran stalemate, Fauci hearing

The week in visual commentary.

Blanche had to promise to abandon $1.8bn ‘compo fund’ for Trump allies

The Republican-led Senate voted 50-49 to make Blanche the second confirmed attorney general since Trump returned to the White House last year with a stated desire to use the law enforcement agency to investigate his political enemies.

The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general in a vote early Saturday, cementing the command of President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer at a Department of Justice that Trump has sought to bend to his will.

The Senate has confirmed Todd Blanche as the next attorney general of the United States

Todd Blanche is narrowly confirmed as Trump's attorney general in an overnight Senate vote  AP News

The Senate narrowly confirmed President Trump's former defense lawyer, Todd Blanche, as the U.S. Attorney General. Republicans Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joined Democrats in voting against Blanche's nomination to serve as the nation's top law enforcement official.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche was confirmed Saturday to lead the U.S. Department of Justice, the news coming after Republican lawmakers struggled to make a decision.

Vote followed a tumultuous confirmation fight that exposed deep concerns from Republicans as well as Democrats

The vote cements Trump's former criminal defence lawyer as the nation's top law enforcement official despite a rare pushback from some Republicans.

Todd Blanche secured enough Republican support in the Senate to be confirmed as attorney general on Saturday morning.

The Republican-led Senate voted 50-49 to make Blanche the second confirmed attorney general since Trump returned to the White House last year with a stated desire to use the law enforcement agency to investigate his political enemies

Blanche was narrowly confirmed to lead the Trump administration’s Justice Department despite misgivings from GOP senators.

The vote followed a tumultuous confirmation fight that exposed deep concerns — from some Republicans as well as Democrats — about installing Donald Trump's close ally atop a Justice Department that historically prided itself on its independence from the White House.

Todd Blanche is the second confirmed attorney general since Donald Trump returned to the White House last year.

Major win for president as former personal lawyer wins approval despite outcry over $1.8bn slush fund The US senate voted to confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general in a major win for Donald Trump, who will now have his one-time personal attorney sitting atop the nation’s law enforcement apparatus. Senator Bill Cassid

The US Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general, elevating President Donald Trump’s one-time personal defense lawyer to lead the nation’s top federal law enforcement agency.