Blanche Confirmed As Attorney General With Fauci Criminal Referral Awaiting
A dramatic overnight vote in Washington has placed one of the most powerful positions in the federal government into new hands.
The outcome was decided by the narrowest of margins, and the official taking control could immediately inherit a politically explosive decision involving one of the most recognizable figures from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general early Saturday in a 50-49 vote, putting him in charge of the Justice Department as a congressional criminal referral involving Dr. Anthony Fauci awaits consideration by federal prosecutors.
The referral followed Fauci’s recent appearance before Senate investigators, where the former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination 111 times while testifying under subpoena.
A Senate committee subsequently referred Fauci to the Justice Department for possible criminal prosecution, meaning Blanche’s department will have to determine whether the evidence warrants further investigation or potential charges.
The referral does not establish that Fauci committed a crime, and invoking the Fifth Amendment cannot itself be treated as evidence of guilt.
Republican lawmakers have nevertheless argued that Fauci should face legal consequences stemming from their investigation into the federal government’s response to COVID-19, while Democrats have characterized the inquiry as politically motivated.
Blanche’s confirmation means responsibility for determining how DOJ handles that referral now rests with a department he formally leads after serving as acting attorney general since Pam Bondi’s departure in April.
His confirmation almost failed, with every Senate Democrat voting against him along with Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.
Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who has been absent from the Senate since mid-June, did not vote, leaving Republicans with virtually no margin for additional defections.
That placed Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., in the position of casting the decisive vote after he had remained the final Republican holdout on Blanche’s nomination.
Cassidy acknowledged his reservations about Blanche before announcing that he would nevertheless support his confirmation.
“Mr. Blanche is not perfect, and he will tell you this, but the choice is not between perfection and Mr. Blanche,” Cassidy said.
“It is between Mr. Blanche and another acting Attorney General who may not run the department effectively under President Trump,” Cassidy continued.
Cassidy also emphasized that his vote should not be interpreted as an endorsement of every action taken by President Donald Trump or his administration.
“This is not a referendum on President Trump,” Cassidy said.
“It is a decision regarding Mr. Blanche in very specific circumstances,” he added.
“All considered, I will vote for Mr. Blanche,” Cassidy concluded. “I’ll be criticized for this vote. What’s new?”
Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., sharply criticized the confirmation, calling the Senate’s decision “a grave mistake.”
Blanche previously served as Trump’s personal defense attorney before entering the administration and ultimately becoming acting attorney general following Bondi’s ouster.
His permanent confirmation now places him at the head of a Justice Department confronting several politically sensitive matters, with congressional Republicans certain to watch closely for what happens with their Fauci referral.
Fauci’s Senate testimony came as lawmakers continue examining pandemic-era government policies, federal funding connected to scientific research and questions surrounding the origins of COVID-19.
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who subpoenaed Fauci to testify, has been among the most vocal lawmakers demanding accountability and has questioned whether the pardon Fauci received from former President Joe Biden would protect him from every potential avenue of prosecution.
Paul also posted a photograph of Fauci sitting alone at the Senate hearing table following his testimony and wrote, “Accountability is coming.”
Any prosecution would require federal investigators and prosecutors to independently determine that sufficient admissible evidence exists to support criminal charges, regardless of what Congress recommended in its referral.
BREAKING: Dolly Parton’s Cause Of Death Revealed: ‘Brief Battle’
Dolly Parton’s death came after a brief battle with cancer, her representatives revealed Tuesday.
The country music legend died Aug. 25 at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville. She was 80.
Parton had been admitted to the cancer center Friday, four days before her death. Her representatives confirmed the cancer diagnosis in a statement to PEOPLE but did not disclose what type she had.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” the statement read.
“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” the statement concluded.
The “Jolene” singer had also been dealing with kidney and autoimmune issues before her death, PEOPLE previously reported.
Just days earlier, Dolly Parton opened up about her declining health and acknowledged that she had put off addressing some medical issues while caring for her husband, Carl.
“As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over [my husband] Carl. You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this. Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health,” Parton told PEOPLE.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in an Instagram video Tuesday on behalf of the Parton and Owens family.
“My name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he says in the video.
Seaver, who served as Parton’s head of security for more than two decades, said she had asked him years earlier to deliver the announcement.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” he continued. “As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.”
Seaver said the moment brought immense pride and heartbreak, but he took comfort in his faith that Parton had been reunited with Carl and other loved ones.
Seaver added: “It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless othe
Shocking 'truth' behind Prince Harry's decision to quit major role
Prince Harry should have "resigned in disgrace" from the board of a controversial African wildlife charity, a commentator says. James Walker makes the bombshell remark in Wednesday's episode of this publication's podcast, Daily Expresso.
He and the show's host, JJ Anisiobi, delve into the Duke of Sussex's dramatic decision to step down from African Parks. James, commenting on the controversy, said: "When you hear about this stuff and how long it's been going on for, you should be resigning in disgrace. [Harry] should be saying: 'I'm not touching that with a barge pole. That is a failed entity. We're going nowhere near it'.
"But no. He's still saying he's going to 'support their mission'. And again this Caroline Pearce, executive director of Survival International, goes on to say: 'His departure doesn't undo that record'.
"She alleged that African Parks was aware of the abuses for years, but it was only after Survival complained to Harry that the charity finally commissioned an investigation."
James added: "Well, she's got a point."
It emerged on Monday (August 24) that Harry was no longer a board member of the wildlife charity.
The conservation organisation has admitted that human rights abuses were committed by its rangers against members of the semi-nomadic Baka group in Congo-Brazzaville.
African Parks has said since that it has improved its safeguarding processes both in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park and institutionally.
Its admission followed an independent human rights investigation into allegations guards managed and paid by the charity had beaten, raped and tortured indigenous people in Odzala-Kokoua National Park.
Harry was president of the charity for six years before he became a member of its board of directors in 2023.
A spokesman for the Duke said he remains an active and avid supporter of African Parks. He added: "The Duke is proud of his 10 years with African Parks and fully supports the ongoing strengthening of its board.
"His commitment to conservation in Africa continues and he remains a supporter of African Parks’ mission."
Human rights organisation, Survival International, said it had been calling on Harry to step down from African Parks for years.
The group's director, Caroline Pearce, said in a statement: "It’s outrageous that for 10 years Prince Harry has served African Parks while the organisation has been responsible for abuse and violence against Indigenous people.
"His departure doesn't undo that record — African Parks itself must now be held accountable, and must abandon this model of fortress conservation for good."
Survival International said indigenous peoples know how best to manage their land and the idea outsiders know better is racist and colonial.
