Sen. Bill Cassidy backs Todd Blanche for attorney general, securing needed Republican vote

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) said on Friday he will vote to confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general, providing the nominee with the 50 Republican votes needed for confirmation if no other GOP senators defect. Republicans hold 53 seats, but Sens. Susan Collins (R-Me.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Ak.) have pledged to vote against Blanche, and Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is absent, leaving the margin exactly at 50.

Cassidy emerged as the decisive vote after Murkowski announced her opposition, citing concerns about the Justice Department’s politicization and handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. > "This is not a referendum on President Trump," Cassidy said on the Senate floor. "It is a decision regarding Mr. Blanche in very specific circumstances."

Blanche, who has served as acting attorney general and was previously Trump’s personal lawyer, has faced criticism from several Republicans over his leadership and the department’s independence. Sens. John Cornyn (R-Tx.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) agreed to support him after Blanche clarified that a $1.8 billion fund created in a settlement over Trump’s tax-record leak had been rescinded and explained the scope of an agreement shielding Trump and his family from certain tax audits.

Tillis also pressed Blanche to meet with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein. Blanche later met privately with a group of survivors following his confirmation hearing. Before Cassidy’s announcement, a letter from more than a dozen Epstein survivors urged him to oppose Blanche, accusing the Justice Department of exposing survivors’ identities while withholding names of alleged abusers.

Cassidy said he was "not entirely satisfied" with the department’s handling of the matter but argued that a Senate-confirmed attorney general would have greater standing to push back against the president. He cited positive reviews of Blanche’s management from current and former prosecutors, noting that critics acknowledged Blanche’s legal knowledge and hands-on approach. > "Mr. Blanche is not perfect, and he will tell you this," Cassidy said, adding that the choice was between Blanche and another acting attorney general who might not run the department as effectively.

Cassidy, who voted to convict Trump in his second impeachment trial and lost a 2024 Republican primary after Trump backed his opponent, concluded his remarks by acknowledging he would face criticism for the vote.