Blanche's Confirmation Just Got the One Yes It Needed

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) said he will vote for Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s confirmation, he announced in a speech fairly critical of Blanche and the Trump administration.

"I will vote for Mr. Blanche. I'll be criticized for this vote. What's new?" Cassidy said. 

"Mr. Blanche is not perfect, and he will tell you this. But the choice is not between perfection and Mr. Blanche. It is between Mr. Blanche and another acting attorney general who may not run the department effectively under President Trump, and who indeed may not be as good as Mr. Blanche," he said. 

CASSIDY: "Mr. Blanche is not perfect, and he will tell you this. But the choice is not between perfection and Mr. Blanche. It is between Mr. Blanche and another acting attorney general who may not run the department effectively under President Trump, and who indeed may not be as…

— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) August 7, 2026

The move will likely pave the way for Blanche to be confirmed to the role permanently possibly Friday or Saturday. 

If Cassidy decided to vote against Blanche’s nomination, it would have derailed the process unless Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) made his way to the upper chamber and voted for him. McConnell was only released from rehabilitation after being hospitalized on Thursday.

Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Susan Collins (R-ME) said they were voting against his nomination, as Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis are ultimately supporting it after making a deal with the Justice Department regarding President Donald Trump’s settlement with the IRS, as the duo had concerns about the once-proposed anti-weaponization fund.

“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. Once we vote, that will end, and there is no telling what the future holds,” Murkowski posted to X early Friday morning. 

“The country needs an Attorney General who will check the worst impulses of this administration. I hope Mr. Blanche is able to achieve that, if confirmed, but I simply do not have confidence that will be the case,” the senator continued. 

I have had numerous constructive meetings with Mr. Blanche and he comes across as decent and capable. I appreciate the trip he made to learn more about Alaska, including our rural areas, and as Acting Attorney General he has made several noteworthy decisions that will benefit our…

— Sen. Lisa Murkowski (@lisamurkowski) August 7, 2026

As for Cassidy, he will be leaving office in January after a successful primary challenge from Rep. Julia Letlow (R-LA), who was endorsed by President Donald Trump.

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