Republican Senator Bill Cassidy announced on Friday, August 7th, 2026, that he would support Todd Blanche for attorney general, effectively clearing the way for Donald Trump’s nominee after weeks of intense scrutiny regarding the Justice Department’s independence from the White House.

Cassidy emerged as the likely deciding vote following Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska’s opposition to Blanche’s nomination, which had left the confirmation on the brink.

The nomination battle was one of the most contentious of Trump’s second term, with concerns from both parties about Blanche’s independence. Blanche has served as acting attorney general since April 2026 and previously managed day-to-day operations at the Justice Department as its second-ranking official.

Under Blanche’s leadership, the Justice Department has initiated investigations into Trump’s critics, seen a departure of career prosecutors, and declared it operates under the direction of the president, a move critics say breaks long-standing norms of independence.

Cassidy, representing Louisiana, criticized Blanche’s role in settling Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service by 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 to provide the president with candid legal advice.

Sources