On Friday, August 7th, 2026, US Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana announced his support for Todd Blanche’s nomination as Attorney General, effectively clearing the final obstacle in Blanche’s confirmation process. Blanche, a loyal ally and former personal lawyer to former President Donald Trump, had faced opposition from Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine.

Cassidy, who lost his Louisiana primary earlier this year and had expressed concerns about "lawfare" at the Justice Department, stated in a 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.”

Murkowski had announced earlier on Friday that she would not support Blanche’s confirmation, leaving Cassidy as the last undecided Republican vote. Susan Collins had already opposed the nomination over concerns about the independence of the US Department of Justice. 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.

With Cassidy’s backing, Blanche is expected to be confirmed by a narrow margin, likely along party lines, before the Senate adjourns for its five-week August recess starting the weekend of August 7th. The Republican majority in the Senate stands at 53-47, though Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky is currently absent due to health reasons.

This development marks a significant victory for Donald Trump, who had faced challenges securing unanimous Republican support for his nominee. Blanche’s confirmation will place a trusted ally at the helm of the US Department of Justice.

Sources