Senator Cassidy’s Critical Vote on Blanche’s Confirmation

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy expressed his objection to special IRS protections for President Donald Trump and his family, calling them “totally wrong.” He revealed that this issue almost led him to vote against Todd Blanche’s confirmation as attorney general.

Cassidy, a Republican from Louisiana, eventually supported Blanche after a review process. Speaking on CBS News’ Face the Nation, Cassidy mentioned that he nearly voted no, highlighting his initial resistance to the nomination. The Senate confirmed Blanche with a 50-49 vote, where Cassidy’s support was crucial due to Senator Mitch McConnell’s absence for medical reasons.

“I am realistic that President Trump can be unrelenting,” Cassidy remarked, suggesting a Senate-confirmed attorney general might better handle such challenges than an acting official. Despite anticipating criticism, Cassidy assured Louisiana residents of his thorough consideration of the matter.

His internal deliberations demonstrated rare openness from a GOP senator questioning a Trump-supported nominee before ultimately agreeing. He objected to narrowing IRS scrutiny for Trump and his family, stating, “No American should be targeted by the law, but no American should be above it.” Cassidy had been seen as a potential holdout, adding weight to his decision.

Only Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine from the GOP voted against Blanche. Previously, Blanche served as acting attorney general following Pam Bondi’s removal amid dissatisfaction over her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files.

Concessions from Blanche

Before the vote, Blanche addressed congressional concerns by retracting an anti-weaponization fund order and narrowing Trump-related IRS protections. Despite lingering doubts about the tax provisions, Cassidy gained confidence from positive feedback from federal prosecutors in Louisiana about Blanche’s leadership.

U.S. attorneys praised efforts to improve accountability and focus on violent crime, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and healthcare fraud. “There’s a lot of positive things to say about Todd Blanche,” Cassidy noted, emphasizing the need for stable leadership at the agency.

Pressed on Blanche’s impartiality in future elections, Cassidy responded, “I cannot predict the future, and this is not a black or white decision. But I’m confident on that.” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described Blanche’s confirmation as a significant win for President Trump and the country.

Controversy Over the Anti-Weaponization Fund

Blanche’s confirmation process was challenging due to the proposed $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund by the Justice Department. Critics argued it could favor Trump supporters involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. The proposal faced opposition from both parties, with Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis insisting on its termination and curtailing audit protections.

To address these concerns, Blanche rescinded the fund with an order annulling it before votes were cast, ensuring no money transferred or claims process existed.