Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) cast the decisive vote on Friday to confirm Todd Blanche as the next U.S. attorney general, narrowly securing his confirmation in a 50-49 Senate vote early Saturday. The confirmation followed intense negotiations over concerns related to a controversial $1.776 billion Department of Justice fund tied to a settlement involving former President Donald Trump’s tax returns.
Cassidy, who had faced primary defeat earlier this year after Trump endorsed his opponent, broke from his party to support Blanche after Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) reached an agreement with the DOJ to rescind the fund. The fund had been established as part of a $10 billion civil lawsuit settlement between the DOJ and Trump, which included protections from IRS tax audits for Trump, his family, and associates. Blanche, Trump’s former defense attorney, testified in June that the fund was "dead," but Republican concerns persisted until its formal rescission.
Key Developments in the Confirmation Process
- Friday’s Senate floor speech: Cassidy announced his support for Blanche, emphasizing the need for a Senate-confirmed attorney general over an acting official. He acknowledged the complexity of the decision, stating, "If you’re looking for a black or white decision here, you’re not going to find it. This is a gradation of gray."
- Critical vote: With Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) absent due to medical recovery, Cassidy’s vote became pivotal. Only Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Susan Collins (R-ME) opposed Blanche’s confirmation among Republicans.
- Compromise on the DOJ fund: The rescission of the $1.776 billion fund, which had drawn bipartisan criticism, removed a major obstacle for Blanche’s confirmation. The fund was part of a settlement resolving Trump’s lawsuit over leaked tax returns and included immunity from IRS audits for Trump and his associates.
Senator’s Rationale and Concerns
Cassidy framed his decision as a pragmatic one, balancing legal and political considerations. He noted that while he was not an attorney, he relied on the judgment of colleagues like Cornyn, a former Texas attorney general, to assess the fund’s status. "I’m relying on others that are bringing me information, and I have to trust them on that," Cassidy said in a Sunday interview on CBS News’ Face the Nation.
However, Cassidy expressed strong reservations about the immunity provisions in the settlement, calling them "totally wrong" and emphasizing that no American should be above the law. He admitted the issue "frankly, almost weighed to vote no," but ultimately concluded that a confirmed attorney general would have greater leverage to address such concerns. "I’ll be criticized for this vote. What’s new? But the people of Louisiana can be assured that I worked hard to understand the issue and to make the right decision," he added.
Background: The Controversial DOJ Fund
The $1.776 billion "anti-weaponization" fund was established as part of a settlement between the DOJ and Trump, resolving a civil lawsuit over the leak of his tax returns. The fund was intended to compensate individuals alleging harm by the federal government, but it also included provisions shielding Trump, his family, and business associates from IRS tax audits. Critics, including some Republican senators, argued the fund was an overreach and raised ethical concerns.
Blanche testified in June that the fund was no longer active, but skepticism persisted until the DOJ formally rescinded it last week. The rescission, negotiated by Cornyn and Tillis, addressed key Republican objections and paved the way for Blanche’s confirmation. The fund’s removal was a central condition for Cassidy’s support, though he remained uneasy about the broader implications of the settlement.
Reactions and Political Context
Cassidy’s vote marked a rare instance of defiance against Trump within the Republican Party, coming after his primary defeat. His decision drew both praise and criticism, with some viewing it as a principled stand against perceived overreach while others saw it as a pragmatic alignment with the administration. The confirmation process highlighted ongoing tensions within the GOP over judicial appointments and the balance between party loyalty and institutional integrity.
The new attorney general will take office amid heightened scrutiny of the DOJ’s independence and the legality of past settlements. Cassidy’s vote underscored the narrow margins in the Senate and the potential for individual senators to shape high-stakes confirmations.