Bill Cassidy, the Republican senator from Louisiana and previously seen as the decisive holdout, announced on Friday, August 7th, 2026, that he will support Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general. Blanche, a former personal lawyer to Donald Trump and a loyal ally, had faced opposition from Republican senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine.

Cassidy stated in a US Senate floor speech, “I will vote for Mr Blanche. Mr Blanche is not perfect, and he will tell you this, but the choice is not between perfection and Mr Blanche; it is between Mr Blanche and another acting attorney general who may not run the department effectively under President Trump, and who indeed may not be as good as Mr Blanche.”

With Cassidy’s backing, Blanche is expected to be confirmed by a narrow margin, likely along party lines, before the Senate begins its five-week August recess. Murkowski had earlier announced she would not support Blanche’s confirmation, and Collins had already opposed it due to concerns about the independence of the US Department of Justice.

Cassidy, who lost his Louisiana primary in May after facing challengers including one backed by Trump, had been under pressure from the White House and had expressed concerns about “lawfare” at the Justice Department prior to his decision. Both Murkowski and Cassidy were among the few Republicans who voted to convict Trump following his 2021 impeachment related to the January 6 Capitol riot.

Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, but Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, recently released from the hospital, is not attending sessions due to health reasons.

Sources