WASHINGTON — Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) announced Friday that he will support Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general, a move that appears to secure the final Republican vote needed to confirm President Donald Trump’s controversial pick. The Senate is expected to hold a decisive vote later this week.
GOP Fractures on Display
Cassidy’s backing comes despite mounting concerns within his party. Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) have already declared their opposition, citing Blanche’s willingness to defend Trump’s interventions in Justice Department matters. Other Republicans, including Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), expressed unease over Blanche’s role in a scrapped IRS settlement plan that would have created a $1.8 billion fund for alleged victims of political prosecutions.
Cassidy’s Calculated Support
In his statement, Cassidy acknowledged Blanche’s flaws but argued that confirming him was preferable to risking a more extreme nominee. “The choice is not between perfect and imperfect,” Cassidy said. “It’s between Blanche and someone potentially worse.” He added that a Senate-confirmed attorney general would have more leverage to resist Trump’s demands than an acting official.
Blanche’s Record Under Scrutiny
Blanche, a former Trump defense attorney, has defended the president’s right to interfere in federal investigations and voiced support for pardons of Jan. 6 rioters. Critics warn his confirmation would erode the Justice Department’s independence. Murkowski cautioned that Blanche’s assurances to senators could prove meaningless once he assumes office, saying the country needs an attorney general capable of checking Trump’s “worst impulses.”
What Comes Next
With Cassidy’s endorsement, Senate Republicans appear to have the votes to push Blanche through, despite unified Democratic opposition. A final confirmation vote could take place as early as Friday. If confirmed, Blanche would formally lead the Justice Department, cementing Trump’s influence over federal law enforcement and intensifying concerns about the politicization of justice.