Bill Cassidy, the Republican senator from Louisiana and the last undecided GOP vote, announced on Friday, August 7th, 2026, that he will support Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general, Todd Blanche. Cassidy’s backing appears to clear the final obstacle in Blanche’s confirmation process, which faced opposition from Republican senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine.

In a speech on the Senate floor, Cassidy acknowledged that Blanche "is not perfect," but emphasized the choice was between Blanche and an acting attorney general who might not effectively lead the Department of Justice under President Trump. Cassidy said, "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."

Blanche, a former personal lawyer to Trump and a loyal ally, is now expected to be confirmed by a narrow margin, likely along party lines, before the Senate adjourns for its five-week August recess starting that weekend.

Murkowski had earlier announced she would not support Blanche’s confirmation, leaving Cassidy as the pivotal Republican vote. Collins had already opposed the nomination citing concerns about the independence of the Department of Justice. Both Murkowski and Cassidy were among the few Republicans who voted to convict Trump during his 2021 impeachment trial related to the January 6 Capitol riot.

Cassidy, who lost his Louisiana primary in May after facing challengers including one endorsed by Trump, had expressed concerns about "lawfare" at the Justice Department but ultimately decided to support Blanche after weeks of White House pressure.

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

Sources