Todd Blanche formally takes the reins at the Justice Department and faces pressure from the president to go after his critics, including former FBI director James B. Comey.

The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general in a vote early Saturday, cementing the command of President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer.

In a narrow 50-49 vote, Blanche, President Trump's former personal attorney, moves from being the Justice Department's second-highest-ranking official to its official leader.