Republican Senator Bill Cassidy announced on Friday, August 7th, 2026, that he would back Todd Blanche for US attorney general, clearing a significant obstacle for Donald Trump’s nominee. Cassidy’s support came after Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska declared her opposition to Blanche, leaving the nomination uncertain.

Blanche, who has served as acting attorney general since April and previously managed day-to-day operations as the Justice Department’s second-ranking official, faced intense scrutiny over concerns about the department’s independence from the White House. Under his leadership, the Justice Department has opened investigations into Trump’s critics, prompted an exodus of career prosecutors, and declared it serves at the president’s direction, breaking with 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 creating a now-abandoned $1.8 billion fund for Trump allies. Despite these concerns, Cassidy expressed trust in Blanche’s ability to provide the president with candid legal advice.

The vote followed weeks of negotiations between Senate Republicans and the Trump administration, marking one of the most contentious cabinet fights of Trump’s second term.

Sources