Sen. Bill Cassidy backs Todd Blanche for attorney general, easing confirmation prospects
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Republican Senator Bill Cassidy announced his Senate floor support for Todd Blanche's nomination as attorney general, a move that could clear a path to confirmation despite opposition from two GOP senators.
Republican Senator Bill Cassidy said on Friday that he will vote for Todd Blanche’s nomination as attorney general, a step that may smooth the way for Blanche’s confirmation to lead the Justice Department. Cassidy made the announcement on the Senate floor after the nomination faced uncertainty due to opposition from Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine.
Cassidy acknowledged that Blanche “is not perfect,” citing concerns about a proposed $1.8 billion fund to compensate Trump allies, a tax-audit immunity deal for the president and investigations targeting political opponents. He added that no other nominee could run the department better under President Trump and noted Blanche’s experience as the president’s former criminal-defense lawyer could help manage presidential demands. “This is not a referendum on President Trump. It is a decision regarding Mr. Blanche in very specific circumstances,” he said, adding that criticism for his vote was expected.
Blanche has served as acting attorney general since President Trump dismissed Pam Bondi in April after she failed to bring criminal cases against the president’s foes. His confirmation has been complicated by a settlement of Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service, which created the $1.8 billion fund and granted tax-audit immunity to Trump and his family for existing claims.
Senator Murkowski, who opposes the nomination, expressed worries about the Justice Department’s handling of Jeffrey Epstein files, the tax-audit immunity agreement and the “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” saying the country needs an attorney general who will check the administration’s “worst impulses.”
The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced Blanche’s nomination after a weekend deal with Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, who had threatened to block the vote. Under the agreement, Blanche rescinded the “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” stating in an order that “there is no Fund.” The Justice Department also clarified that the tax-audit immunity applies only to claims open at the time of the settlement and covers only Trump, his two sons and the Trump Organization.
Democrats argue the order does not prevent the administration from reviving the fund after confirmation and have called for legislation to bar it permanently. They also question the legality of the tax protections, noting a federal judge described Trump’s lawsuit as an improper self-dealing transaction.
Democratic Senator Dick Durbin, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, warned that confirming Blanche would be “a serious mistake,” urging colleagues not to be on the “wrong side” of history.
Supporters of Blanche point to his background as a federal prosecutor and his record on violent crime, illegal immigration and drug trafficking as evidence that he is better equipped than his predecessor to navigate legal constraints from the White House.