Republican Senator Bill Cassidy announced on Friday, August 7, 2026, that he would support Todd Blanche's nomination for U.S. attorney general, paving the way for President Donald Trump's controversial pick after weeks of intense scrutiny. Cassidy's endorsement came after Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska declared her opposition to Blanche, leaving the nomination hanging in the balance.

Blanche, who has served as acting attorney general since April and previously managed the Justice Department's daily operations as its second-ranking official, has faced bipartisan concerns regarding his independence from the White House. Under his leadership, the Justice Department has initiated investigations into Trump's critics, seen a departure of career prosecutors, and stated it operates under the president's direction, a move critics say breaks long-standing norms of independence.

Cassidy, representing Louisiana, criticized Blanche's handling of Trump's lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service, which included granting tax immunity to Trump and his family businesses and establishing a now-abandoned $1.8 billion fund for Trump allies. Despite these criticisms, Cassidy expressed trust in Blanche's ability to provide the president with candid legal advice.

The vote follows weeks of negotiations between Senate Republicans and the Trump administration, marking a pivotal moment in one of the most contentious cabinet battles of Trump's second term.

Sources