Cassidy supports Todd Blanche, rescuing Trump's embattled attorney general pick

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche appears at his confirmation hearing in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill July 15, 2026 in Washington, DC. Eric Lee | Getty ImagesSen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., said Friday he will vote to confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general, giving President Donald Trump's embattled nominee a crucial vote after two other Senate Republicans announced their opposition.Cassidy's support appears to give Blanche the 50 votes he needs for confirmation, assuming no other Republicans defect. Republicans hold 53 seats, but Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, have said they will vote against Blanche, while Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., remains absent from the Senate — leaving Blanche with exactly 50 Republican votes.Cassidy had emerged as the pivotal vote after Murkowski announced Friday morning she would oppose Blanche, citing concerns about the politicization of the Justice Department and its handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files."This is not a referendum on President Trump," Cassidy said on the Senate floor Friday. "It is a decision regarding Mr. Blanche in very specific circumstances."Blanche, Trump's former personal attorn...