Sen. Bill Cassidy Defends Vote to Confirm Todd Blanche as Attorney General
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Senator Bill Cassidy explained his support for Todd Blanche’s confirmation as attorney general during a CBS interview, noting the decision was complex and emphasizing his confidence in the nominee despite criticism.
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) defended his vote to confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general on CBS’s “Face the Nation” on Aug. 9. Cassidy said the choice was not “black or white” and expressed confidence in Blanche’s ability to uphold the Constitution, adding that “there’s always this existential anxiety” about the future.
Cassidy’s vote was pivotal after moderate Republicans Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Sen. Susan Collins announced opposition, leaving Blanche dependent on the remaining Republican votes. Blanche’s nomination had drawn criticism over his prior work for President Donald Trump, including a settlement that granted Trump immunity and his involvement in a $1.8 billion fund aimed at preventing weaponization of the Justice Department.
In a Senate floor speech announcing his support, Cassidy acknowledged he would face criticism and described the decision-making process as intense. He also noted that his wife finds his emotional displays “endearing,” though he finds them “embarrassing.”
Cassidy, who lost his 2024 primary to a Trump-backed challenger, previously voted to impeach Trump in 2021. Former Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger and several Democrats criticized the confirmation vote.