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Senator Bill Cassidy announced his support for Todd Blanche’s nomination as attorney general, potentially breaking a deadlock in the confirmation process. Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican who will not seek reelection after losing his primary to a Trump-backed candidate, stated he would vote to confirm Blanche despite acknowledging concerns about the nominee’s previous role as Donald Trump’s personal lawyer.
Cassidy’s decision comes after Senator Lisa Murkowski declared her opposition to Blanche’s confirmation. With limited margin for error in the Republican-controlled Senate, Blanche cannot afford additional defections from GOP lawmakers. Cassidy addressed these concerns directly, framing his vote as a pragmatic choice rather than an endorsement of the nominee or the administration.
Speaking from the Senate floor, Cassidy emphasized that while Blanche is “not perfect,” the decision ultimately rests between confirming him or accepting an alternative acting attorney general. He characterized the vote as focused specifically on Blanche’s qualifications rather than serving as a broader referendum on President Trump. With Cassidy’s support, Blanche appears positioned to secure the necessary votes for confirmation, with Vice President JD Vance available to break any tie.
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Originally reported by Theguardian →
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