Photo: DOJTodd Blanche was narrowly confirmed by the U.S. Senate over the weekend, but his biggest challenge may be balancing the demands of President Trump with mounting concerns about the department’s independence, The Washington Post reports. Blanche, Trump’s former criminal defense lawyer, has led the department on an acting basis since April. Blanche has defended Trump’s involvement in Justice Department matters and rejected concerns that conversations with the president about prosecutions are improper. The Senate confirmed Blanche in a 50-49 vote early Saturday despite concerns from some Republicans about the department’s direction under Trump. Blanche acknowledged before the vote that the job would come with intense scrutiny, saying, “It’s not as if I remain blissfully unaware of what will happen if I am confirmed.”