Republican Senator Bill Cassidy announced on Friday, August 7, 2026, that he would support Todd Blanche’s nomination for US attorney general, paving the way for President Donald Trump’s controversial pick after weeks of intense scrutiny.

Cassidy emerged as the likely deciding vote after Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska declared her opposition to Blanche, putting the nomination at risk. The decision capped a contentious confirmation process marked by bipartisan concerns about Blanche’s independence from the White House.

Blanche has served as acting attorney general since April 2026 and previously managed daily operations at the Justice Department as its second-ranking official. Under his leadership, the department has initiated investigations into Trump’s critics, seen a departure of career prosecutors, and stated it operates under the president’s direction—actions critics say break long-standing norms of independence.

Cassidy, representing Louisiana, criticized Blanche’s involvement in settling Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service, which granted tax immunity to Trump and his family businesses and established a now-abandoned $1.8 billion fund for Trump allies. Despite these concerns, Cassidy expressed trust in Blanche’s ability to provide candid legal advice to the president.

This development follows weeks of negotiations between Senate Republicans and the Trump administration over Blanche’s nomination, reflecting the broader tensions surrounding the Justice Department’s autonomy.

Sources