Washington D.C., Aug 7 (AP) — The Senate narrowly confirmed Todd Blanche as the U.S. Attorney General early Saturday, securing President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer's control over the Department of Justice (DOJ), a position that has raised concerns about political influence on an institution historically independent from the White House. With a vote of 50-49, Blanche becomes the second confirmed attorney general since Trump's return to the White House last year, amidst his stated intention to utilize law enforcement agencies to probe political adversaries. Despite acting in this role for several months, Blanche's confirmation enables him to pursue the administration's agenda more aggressively. Reacting on social media, Blanche expressed gratitude towards Trump and senators for confirming him, noting that he was deeply honored by the President's trust. The confirmation process for Blanche proved contentious, primarily due to Republican concerns about a controversial settlement in Trump's lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). To allay these concerns, Blanche pledged in writing to abandon Trump's proposed $1.8 billion compensation fund for the president's allies and to rein in another aspect of the settlement aimed at shielding Trump and his family from IRS tax audits. This assurance was instrumental in winning over Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, whose support proved decisive. Senator Dick Durbin, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, strongly opposed Blanche's confirmation, warning that it would be a "serious mistake." He urged his colleagues to stand against corruption and emphasized the need for an Attorney General with unimpeachable integrity in the current political climate. Despite these objections, the vote confirmed Blanche, who has been elevated to the top Justice Department post since Trump fired Pam Bondi in April. The controversial settlement threatened to derail Blanche's nomination until he formally rescinded it under pressure from Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina. This deal paved the way for a vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee, which advanced Blanche's nomination earlier this week. However, even after the deal, Blanche faced opposition from some Republican senators concerned about the settlement fund and tax audit immunity. Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska ultimately joined Democrats in opposing Blanche's nomination. A former federal prosecutor in New York, Blanche gained public prominence as a lead attorney on Trump's defense team during his hush money trial in New York and in two federal cases brought by the Biden administration's DOJ. Blanche's experience defending Trump has provided him with insights into what he considers to be the weaponization of the criminal justice system against the former President. His entry into the Justice Department comes amidst allegations that he will help curb such practices.