Full Breakdown
Cassidy’s Senate Floor Announcement Secures GOP Support for Todd Blanche
8/7/2026, 11:45:22 PM
Core Event
Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) announced on the Senate floor that he will vote to confirm Todd Blanche as U.S. attorney general. Cassidy’s declaration removed the last undecided Republican, keeping Blanche’s confirmation on track despite opposition from two other GOP senators.
Background on Blanche’s Role and Controversy
Todd Blanche is the acting attorney general and a Senate-confirmed deputy attorney general. He is widely recognized for defending former President Donald Trump in the New York criminal trial, a factor that has generated unease among many Republicans. Critics argue that his close ties to Trump could compromise the Justice Department’s independence.
Republican Opposition and Concerns
Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) have publicly opposed Blanche’s nomination, citing the perceived politicization of the Justice Department under the current administration. Their opposition follows a broader pattern of GOP dissent, with Senator Mitch McConnell absent from the vote due to a June hospitalization, further limiting the party’s margin for defections.
Cassidy’s Rationale and Statements
Cassidy, one of the seven Republicans who voted to convict Trump at his 2021 impeachment trial, said he had spent weeks seeking assurances that Blanche would serve as the nation’s top law-enforcement officer rather than as the president’s personal attorney. After a private meeting with Blanche, Cassidy reported satisfaction with the nominee’s commitments. He acknowledged that his vote would attract criticism but argued that the “weaponization” of the Justice Department by both parties must end. Cassidy’s comments framed the decision as a move toward restoring the department’s impartiality, even as he noted lingering concerns about “apparent lawfare” and lawsuits against political opponents.
