Bill Cassidy defends decision to back Blanche as attorney general
Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana defended his decision to support Todd Blanche’s confirmation as attorney general, despite reservations about some aspects of the nomination. cassidy emphasized that the choice was complex, describing the decision as a “gradation of gray” rather than clear-cut.he relied on trusted legal opinions, notably from Senator John Cornyn, regarding the status of the “anti-weaponization” fund-part of a controversial DOJ settlement involving former President Trump-and expressed concern over legal immunities granted to Trump and associates.
Cassidy highlighted positive feedback from Louisiana U.S. attorneys about Blanche’s leadership, wich influenced his Senate floor discussions and ultimately led him to support the nomination. He acknowledged Blanche’s imperfections but believed he was a preferable choice over other potential nominees who might have been less effective or qualified.
The Senate narrowly confirmed Blanche as attorney general with a 50-49 vote, with only Senator Mitch McConnell absent.Cassidy’s support marked a notable moment given his complicated relationship with Trump, especially after Cassidys’ vote to impeach Trump in 2021 and his subsequent loss in the Republican primary to a Trump-backed candidate.
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), whose vote proved crucial in confirming the president’s nominee for attorney general, defended his decision to back Todd Blanche.
“If you’re looking for a black or white decision here, you’re not going to find it. This is a gradation of gray,” he said in a Sunday interview with CBS News host Margaret Brennan on Face the Nation.
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Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Susan Collins (R-ME) were the only Republicans who voted “no” to Blanche’s confirmation. If there were any more, Blanche’s nomination would have been sunk.
Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) previously expressed concern over Blanche’s nomination, but the two senators were eventually won over after the acting attorney general rescinded the $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization” fund.
The fund was part of a controversial settlement between the Department of Justice and President Donald Trump, who sued the IRS over his leaked tax returns. The settlement also protected Trump, his family, and business associates from tax audits.
Cassidy said he trusted the conclusion of Cornyn, a former Texas attorney general, that the process to reinstate the anti-weaponization “effectively is dead.” Cassidy noted that because he is not an attorney, he had to rely on others to understand the legal questions surrounding the fund.
“I’m relying on others that are bringing me information, and I have to trust them on that,” Cassidy said. “Not everything, but some of that, and I trust John on that.”
However, the Louisiana Republican is not sold on the agreement that provides Trump and others immunity from IRS tax investigations.
“That is wrong, and no American should be targeted by the law, but no American should be above the law, and that, frankly, almost weighed to vote no,” he said.
But there were positive aspects that convinced Cassidy to vote for Blanche.
“The attorney general is supposed to give advice to the president, supposed to run the Department of Justice, and is supposed to make sure that the U.S. attorneys nationwide are doing their job. It really weighs strongly in his favor when I speak to my U.S. attorneys in Louisiana” who spoke highly of their interactions with the DOJ under Blanche’s leadership, Cassidy said.
In his Friday speech on the Senate floor, Cassidy revealed he spoke with Blanche “five or six times” and said he was particularly swayed by the counsel of Bill Barr, who served as attorney general during Trump’s first term.
Despite his reservations about Blanche, Cassidy believed the new DOJ head would be a better nominee than others Trump might have chosen for the post.
“Mr. Blanche is not perfect, and he will tell you this,” Cassidy said. “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.”
BILL CASSIDY TO SUPPORT TODD BLANCHE NOMINATION FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL, PAVING WAY FOR CONFIRMATION
Blanche was ultimately confirmed as attorney general in a narrow 50-49 vote early Saturday. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who remains on an extended medical leave, was the only member absent for voting.
Cassidy has had a rocky relationship with Trump ever since the senator voted to convict the president for impeachment in 2021. In May, he lost the Republican primary for his seat to the Trump-backed Rep. Julia Letlow (R-LA).
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