U.S. Senator BILL CASSIDY (photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Homeland Security)
Todd Blanche appears to have the votes to become the next U.S. Attorney General after Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy said he’ll support President Trump’s nominee. Several senators have expressed concern Blanche could give the president too much control over the Justice Department. Cassidy acknowledged Blanche is not perfect, but…
“The choice is not between perfection and Mr. Blanche. It is between Mr. Blanche and another acting Attorney General, who may not run that department effectively under President Trump and who may not be as good as Mr. Blanche,” Cassidy noted.
Blanche’s former role as Trump’s personal lawyer and his involvement in a controversial IRS settlement have raised questions about his independence. Republican Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski say they’ll oppose him, so Cassidy’s vote was critical to Blanche’s confirmation.
Cassidy got emotional while announcing he will support Blanche for AG.
“I’ll be criticized for this vote; what’s new? But people of Louisiana can be assured that I worked hard to understand the issue and to make the right decision,” Cassidy said.
Cassidy says he came this decision after speaking with two sitting U.S. Attorneys in Louisiana. Both David Courcelle and Kurt Wall supported Blanche’s nomination. The outgoing U.S. Senator also took into account former U.S. Attorney General William Barr’s endorsement of Blanche.
“When former Attorney General Bill Barr endorsed Mr. Blanche, he said ‘Mr. Blanche will run the department as effectively as anyone can under President Trump.’ Some have called that ‘fake praise.’ I don’t think that it is; I think it is a reality,” Cassidy stated.
It’s unclear when the U.S. Senate will vote to confirm Blanche.
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