Cassidy backs Todd Blanche, reviving Trump AG pick in Senate
What's next: Cassidy's support likely gives Blanche enough Republican votes after Lisa Murkowski opposed him over DOJ politicization.
Sen. Bill Cassidy said he will vote to confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general, likely rescuing President Donald Trump's nominee after two Republican defections put the Senate vote in doubt. Blanche, Trump's former personal defense lawyer and the acting attorney general since April, faced fresh resistance after Sen. Lisa Murkowski said she would oppose him, citing the Justice Department's increasing politicization. On the Senate floor, Cassidy said Blanche had shown poor judgment in approving an anti-weaponization fund and a tax-audit exemption in a Trump settlement, but argued confirmation would give him more leverage inside the department. Blanche became acting attorney general after Pam Bondi was fired.