- Cassidy initially had concerns about Blanche helping Trump prosecute political enemies, pushing the $1.8 billion anti-weaponization slush fund, and exempting the president from IRS audits, capitulated—knowing that his was the deciding vote.
- On Friday, Cassidy said that confirming Blanche would give the Trump loyalist more power. But he also absolved Blanche of any responsibility should Trump ignore any pushback he might offer once he has been confirmed.
- Cassidy voted to confirm Blanche, knowing his was the deciding vote.
- This isn’t Cassidy’s first rodeo in backing down from his principled opposition to a controversial or clearly unqualified candidate. He used similar logic to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination as health secretary as the deciding vote, putting naive trust in his commitments.
- And the senator earlier this week—although his was not the sole deciding vote—to confirm Schwartz, the physician and attorney who was Trump’s pick for CDC director.
The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general early Saturday, with Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) casting the deciding vote despite his earlier concerns about Blanche's role in the anti-weaponization fund and IRS audits.13
Cassidy had previously voiced apprehensions regarding Blanche's potential to assist Trump in prosecuting political adversaries, stating, “approving the anti-weaponization slush fund,” and “exempting the president from IRS audits,” among other issues.
Despite these concerns, Cassidy ultimately supported Blanche, citing his discussions with him: “Mr. Blanche has made commitments” to improve, and not confirming him would jeopardize progress in combating violent crime, human and drug trafficking, and fraud.4
This decision marks a continuation of Cassidy's pattern of backing controversial candidates, having previously supported Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health secretary under similar circumstances. Cassidy's shift in stance raises questions about his commitment to his principles, especially after losing his reelection bid due to Trump's influence.
The confirmation vote saw almost all Republicans align with the president, with only Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) opposing Blanche's nomination.
“Cassidy, who lost reelection after being targeted by Trump, had raised objections including the $1.8 billion anti-weaponization slush fund and exempting the president from IRS audits. He previously used similar logic to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination as health secretary.”
Mother Jones
