Bill Cassidy, the Republican senator from Louisiana and the last undecided GOP vote, announced on Friday, August 7th, 2026, that he will support the confirmation of Todd Blanche as attorney general. Blanche, a former personal lawyer and loyal ally of former President Donald Trump, had faced opposition from moderate Republican senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine.

Cassidy acknowledged Blanche is "not perfect," but emphasized the choice was between Blanche and an acting attorney general who might not effectively run the Department of Justice under Trump. Cassidy's backing appears to clear the final hurdle in Blanche’s confirmation process, which is expected to pass by a narrow margin, likely along party lines, before the Senate recess begins this weekend.

Murkowski had earlier announced she would not support Blanche’s confirmation, and 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 in his 2021 impeachment trial related to the January 6 Capitol riot.

Cassidy, who lost his Louisiana primary in May, had faced significant pressure from the White House and expressed concerns about "lawfare" at the Justice Department prior to his decision. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who holds a Republican majority of 53-47 in the Senate, is currently absent due to health reasons.

This development marks a significant win for Trump as the Senate prepares for a final vote series on Blanche’s nomination before the five-week August recess.

Sources