POLITICS
Sen. Bill Cassidy backs Todd Blanche for attorney general, paving a way to confirmation
Sen. Bill Cassidy said he will vote to confirm Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, likely giving President Trump’s nominee the narrow Senate majority needed despite Republican defections and unified Democratic opposition.
Sen. Bill Cassidy said he will vote to confirm Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, likely giving President Trump’s nominee the narrow Senate majority needed despite Republican defections and unified Democratic opposition.
Corroboration
LowMedHigh
Confirmed by 67+ sources.
What This is
- Sen. Bill Cassidy announced he will vote to confirm Todd Blanche as U.S. attorney general.
- Cassidy’s support appears to give Blanche the votes he needs in a closely divided Senate, where Democrats are expected to oppose him.
- Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins said they will vote against Blanche, citing concerns about Justice Department independence and politicization.
- A central flashpoint was a proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund tied to a Trump-IRS settlement, which critics said could pay Trump allies, including some tied to Jan. 6 cases.
- Critics have also pointed to the Justice Department’s handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related records as a reason to oppose Blanche.
Why This Matters
- The attorney general controls federal prosecutions, so trust in the role affects whether the public sees law enforcement as fair.
- A near party-line confirmation tests how much Senate Republicans will use nominations to check a president of their own party.
- Fights over the fund and IRS audit limits raise broader questions about whether government tools can be used to protect political allies.
- Debates over Epstein file disclosures show how transparency promises can collide with privacy and court limits.