Todd Blanche, Trump's ex-lawyer, narrowly confirmed as attorney general - BBC News

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

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Todd Blanche has served as acting attorney general since April

US President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer Todd Blanche has been narrowly confirmed as attorney general - the nation's top law enforcement official.

The vote brings to an end a lengthy standoff between Senate Republicans and the Trump administration over Blanche, who has served as acting attorney general since April.

Blanche won confirmation in a 50-49 vote overnight, with two Republican senators, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, joining all Democrats to oppose his nomination.

Senator Bill Cassidy cast the deciding vote, a decision closely watched in Washington given the years of acrimony between the Louisiana Republican and Trump.