Louisiana Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy announced that he will support acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination to lead the Justice Department, handing him enough votes for confirmation as early as later today before the Senate leaves for the August break.
“All considered, I will vote for Mr. Blanche,” Cassidy said in a speech on the Senate floor.
Cassidy defended Blanche on a number of fronts. He noted that Blanche was not the decider of pardons given out to Jan. 6 rioters and that even when he gives advice, President Donald Trump does not have to listen.
He also dismissed the acrimonious history between him and Trump, who endorsed Cassidy’s opponent earlier this year in his Senate primary race after the senator voted to convict him of his actions after Jan. 6, 2021.
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“This is not a referendum on President Trump. It is the decision regarding Mr. Blanche in very specific circumstances,” Cassidy said. “I’ll be criticized for this decision. What’s new? The people of Louisiana can be assured that I worked hard to understand the issue and to make the right decision.”
Cassidy noted that he and Blanche spoke numerous times throughout the confirmation process, including right before his speech.
His announcement puts the acting attorney general on the doorstep of confirmation. Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters late Thursday that they were “still working to get the final vote.” If a time agreement is struck, Blanche could be confirmed by Friday night, though that could slip into the weekend if there is not.
Blanche was expected to continue leading the department regardless of the pending Senate confirmation. With his current acting title, he would be allowed to serve for the remainder of Trump’s term, as he was already confirmed by the upper chamber as deputy attorney general.
Cassidy’s move proved decisive. It came just hours after Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) announced her opposition to Blanche’s nomination, which left the departing senator as the make-or-break vote.
Much like Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) earlier in the week, Murkowski faulted Blanche for green-lighting the settlement with President Donald Trump that spawned the Justice Department’s $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund and the immunity deal that would have shielded Trump from future IRS audits.
Both parts of the deal have drawn widespread derision among Senate Republicans. Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) pushed for an in-writing agreement to nix the “slush” fund, which would have provided settlements to the Trump allies and possibly Jan. 6, 2021 rioters, and clarify the scope of the immunity accord.
Murkowski cast doubt that the issue will go away after a potential confirmation.
“I am also keenly aware that the Department’s nearly $2-billion dollar slush fund—which likely would have rewarded January 6 protesters—is only off the table because this nomination is pending and the Senate has leverage,” Murkowski said. “Once we vote, that will end, and there is no telling what the future holds.”
“The country needs an Attorney General who will check the worst impulses of this administration,” she continued. “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 cited his handling of the files related to crimes committed by Jeffrey Epstein, statements he reportedly made to pro-life groups and the DOJ’s attempt to indict Sens. Mark Kelly (D-Arizona) and Elissa Slotkin (D-Michigan) over videos encouraging military members to resist unlawful orders.
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