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By Steve Mollman
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Todd Blanche's path to becoming attorney general received a major boost Friday after Senator Bill Cassidy announced he would support President Donald Trump's nominee, overcoming concerns that Republican opposition could derail the confirmation.
Cassidy's backing comes despite opposition from two prominent GOP moderates, Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, who have cited concerns about Blanche's actions as acting attorney general and his handling of several high-profile controversies.
With Democrats expected to oppose Blanche, Cassidy had emerged as a key swing vote after Collins and Murkowski signaled they would vote no. His decision appears to give Blanche the support he needs for confirmation and marks a significant victory for Trump after weeks of lobbying and negotiations aimed at winning over skeptical Republicans.
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Cassidy's support appears to give Blanche the 50 votes needed for confirmation and could set the stage for a final Senate vote as soon as Friday.
Cassidy said Friday that he had consulted former Attorney General William Barr and concluded Blanche's prior role as Trump's lawyer did not necessarily mean he would act as a rubber stamp for the president.
According to Cassidy, Barr argued that representing a client effectively requires "tough conversations" and difficult truths, and that Blanche's attorney-client relationship with Trump could make him more willing, not less, to push back when necessary.
"All considered, I will vote for Mr. Blanche," Cassidy said.
Reacting to Cassidy's announcement, White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis told Newsweek on Friday: "This is great news and we look forward to his final confirmation shortly. Todd Blanche has done an excellent job as acting Attorney General and will continue doing so as Attorney General. Todd Blanche is an American patriot who has played a critical role at the Department of Justice in advocating for sanity, law and order, and policies that keep Americans safe."
Newsweek reached out to Cassidy, Collins, and Murkowski for comment on Friday.
Why Murkowski Opposes Blanche
Murkowski announced Friday that she would oppose Blanche despite describing him as "decent and capable" and saying he had made "several noteworthy decisions" as acting attorney general that benefited Alaska and the nation.
The Alaska Republican said she was troubled by what she described as the increasing politicization, and even "weaponization," of the Justice Department. She pointed specifically to the handling of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, immunity protections granted to Trump, his family and their businesses as part of the IRS settlement, Blanche's reported comments to anti-abortion groups, and what she called the department's "repeated targeting" of individuals ranging from former administration officials to sitting U.S. senators.
"The country needs an Attorney General who will check the worst impulses of this administration," Murkowski said. "I hope Mr. Blanche is able to achieve that, if confirmed, but I simply do not have confidence that will be the case."
Murkowski also expressed skepticism that the administration had permanently abandoned the anti-weaponization fund, arguing it could potentially be revived after Blanche's confirmation.
She said the nearly $2 billion fund was "only off the table because this nomination is pending and the Senate has leverage," adding that "once we vote, that will end, and there is no telling what the future holds."
Despite disagreeing with Cassidy's decision, Murkowski praised the Louisiana Republican's deliberative approach. "I know for a fact how much time and thought Bill Cassidy put into this," she told reporters. "I have huge respect for him, and ultimately he made a decision that went in a different direction than I did."
Why Collins Opposes Blanche
Collins announced Tuesday that she would vote against Blanche despite describing him as a "capable lawyer," arguing that the Justice Department had become "increasingly political" and that Blanche had further eroded the department's independence.
Collins outlined four specific objections to Blanche's record:
- his approval of protections shielding Trump, his sons and the Trump Organization from IRS audits;
- his role in approving the $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund;
- his reported promise to an anti-abortion group that he would seek to prohibit the mailing of abortion medication nationwide; and
- the Justice Department's attempt to indict Senators Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin over what she described as constitutionally protected videos encouraging resistance to unlawful orders.
Collins also noted that more than 1,200 former Justice Department employees had opposed Blanche's nomination, arguing he had undermined the institution.
Why Cassidy Backed Blanche
Cassidy acknowledged concerns surrounding Blanche's nomination but said senators ultimately faced a choice between confirming Blanche or leaving the Justice Department under another acting attorney general.
"Mr. Blanche is not perfect," Cassidy said. "But the choice is not between perfection and Mr. Blanche."
Cassidy said he was "not entirely satisfied" with the issues surrounding Blanche's nomination and expected he could still have future concerns about the Justice Department.
He said he shared concerns about the "politicization" of the Justice Department and argued that Blanche had shown "poor judgment" in connection with the anti-weaponization fund and the IRS settlement.
However, he argued that a Senate-confirmed attorney general would be better positioned than an acting official to push back against Trump when necessary.
"I am realistic that President Trump can be unrelenting," Cassidy said, arguing that a Senate-confirmed attorney general would have more leverage to push back than an acting official.
The Louisiana Republican said he was persuaded that Blanche could effectively lead the department under Trump and warned that a prolonged confirmation fight could jeopardize ongoing efforts targeting violent crime, human trafficking, drug trafficking and fraud.
"This is not a referendum on President Trump," Cassidy said. "It is a decision regarding Mr. Blanche in very specific circumstances."
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The Fight Over the Anti-Weaponization Fund
While Murkowski, Collins and Cassidy emphasized different concerns, much of the nomination fight centered on a Justice Department settlement resolving Trump's lawsuit against the IRS.
The agreement included a proposed $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund intended to compensate people who claimed they had been unfairly targeted by government investigations. Critics argued the fund could benefit Trump allies and potentially some people convicted in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina initially threatened to block Blanche's nomination unless the administration provided written assurances that the fund had been permanently terminated and narrowed tax-audit protections included in the settlement.
In response, Blanche issued an order formally rescinding the fund, declaring it "shall have no force or effect." He also released a document limiting the scope of tax-audit protections tied to the agreement.
Those steps helped secure support from Cornyn and Tillis and allowed the nomination to advance.
Trump's Role in the Dispute
Trump repeatedly intervened as Blanche's nomination encountered resistance.
At times, the president defended the anti-weaponization fund and threatened to push Congress to enact similar legislation if Blanche's nomination failed. He also floated the possibility of keeping Blanche as acting attorney general or resubmitting his nomination after the 2026 midterm elections if opposition persisted.
But after Blanche formally rescinded the fund and won over key Republican skeptics, the nomination regained momentum.
Cassidy's decision to back Blanche now appears to leave Murkowski and Collins isolated within the Republican conference, giving Trump and his allies a significant victory after weeks of uncertainty over one of the administration's most contentious confirmation battles.
Cassidy appeared to choke up as he reflected on the criticism he expected to face for backing Blanche. "I'll be criticized for this vote. What's new?" he said. "But people can be assured that I worked hard to understand the issue and to make the right decision."
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Jason Lemon and Gray R. Thomas
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