Blanche wins support for attorney general from GOP Sen. Cassidy, likely
paving way for confirmation
[August 08, 2026]
By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER, LISA MASCARO and BILL BARROW
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy said Friday that he will
back Todd Blanche's nomination as attorney general, likely paving the
way for Blanche's confirmation to lead President Donald Trump's Justice
Department.
The Louisiana senator announced his support on the Senate floor after
Blanche's confirmation was thrown into doubt over opposition from two
other Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of
Maine.
Cassidy said Blanche “is not perfect," citing concerns over a proposed
$1.8 billion fund to compensate Trump allies, a tax audit immunity deal
for the Republican president and investigations targeting the
president's political opponents.
But Cassidy said no other nominee may be able to run the department
better under Trump, and he added that Blanche's role as Trump's former
criminal defense lawyer can make him more effective at pushing back on
the president's demands.
“This is not a referendum on President Trump. It is a decision regarding
Mr. Blanche in very specific circumstances," Cassidy said. The senator,
who lost his Republican primary after Trump endorsed his rival, appeared
to choke up as he described the criticism he expected to face for his
Blanche vote, adding, “What’s new?”
Blanche's nomination came after Bondi was ousted
Blanche would become Trump’s second confirmed attorney general since the
president returned to the White House last year with a stated desire to
use the law enforcement agency to investigate his perceived enemies. He
has been serving as acting attorney general since Trump fired Pam Bondi
in April after she failed to deliver on criminal cases against Trump's
foes.
Blanche's path to confirmation has been complicated over a settlement of
Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service that has drawn
intense scrutiny by Republicans and Democrats alike. The settlement
called for the creation of the $1.8 billion fund to compensate people
who feel mistreated by the criminal justice system and provided Trump
and family members with immunity from tax audits.
Republican senator cites concerns about Blanche
Murkowski, in announcing her opposition to Blanche, cited concerns over
the Justice Department’s handling of files related to disgraced
financier Jeffrey Epstein, the sweeping tax audit immunity deal and the
proposed “Anti-Weaponization Fund.” The Alaska senator said she is
worried the Trump administration could proceed with the fund despite the
administration's promises that it is dead, noting that the Senate has
leverage over the fund only because Blanche’s nomination is pending.
“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.”
The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced Blanche's nomination only after
a deal reached last weekend with two other Republican senators — John
Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina — who had been
threatening to block his confirmation over aspects of the settlement.
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Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., departs the U.S. Capitol prior to a
confirmation vote for acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Friday,
Aug. 7, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)
Under the deal, Blanche formally rescinded the “Anti-Weaponization
Fund,” writing in an order that “there is no Fund.”
The Justice Department also clarified in writing that the tax audit
immunity agreement applies only to claims open at the time of the
settlement and does not protect Trump from examination of future tax
filings. It also makes clear that only the parties that brought the
lawsuit — Trump, two of his sons and the Trump Organization — are
covered by the tax agreement.
Democrats accuse Blanche of prioritizing his allegiance to Trump
But Democrats say Blanche's order doesn't stop the Trump
administration from reviving the fund after his confirmation and
have called for legislation to permanently bar it. Trump has
repeatedly defended the fund and has threatened to push forward with
it if Republicans don't support Blanche's nomination.
Lawmakers and legal experts have also questioned the lawfulness of
the tax protections for Trump. A federal judge who oversaw the IRS
case has described Trump’s lawsuit as an improper exercise in
self-dealing, and on Thursday the union representing IRS workers
asked another judge to block the immunity agreement.
Democrats have accused Blanche of prioritizing his loyalty to Trump
above all else through investigations against Trump foes such as
former FBI Director James Comey and a radical reshaping of a
department that historically prided itself on its independence from
the White House. Under Bondi and Blanche’s leadership, the
department has lost thousands of employees through firings,
resignations or voluntary departures.
Blanche’s supporters say his experience as a federal prosecutor and
the trust he earned from Trump in the courtroom makes him better
equipped than Bondi to explain to the White House the legal
constraints of its demands. Republicans have also touted his efforts
to bring down violent crime, tackle illegal immigration and combat
violent cartels and drug trafficking.
Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the top Democrat on the Senate
Judiciary Committee, said it would be a “serious mistake” to confirm
Blanche, begging his colleagues not to be on the “wrong side” of
history.
“If there is ever a moment in history when we need an attorney
general above reproach, who is clearly dedicated to ending
corruption, even at the highest level of our government, it’s right
now,” Durbin said.
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