Senator Cassidy Surprises With Support for Trump's AG Nominee

WHO:

Alternet - Ken Dilanian reported that DOJ career staff are "beside themselves with the direction that Todd Blanche has taken the department."

Alternet - Lisa Rubin, a former litigator and current legal correspondent, noted that Cassidy did not meet with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein before his speech.

AP News - Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.) announced his support for Todd Blanche's nomination as attorney general.

Alternet - Ken Dilanian reported that DOJ career staff are "very depressed about what the road forward looks like" under Todd Blanche's leadership.

Alternet - Lisa Rubin noted that Cassidy and his staff did not meet with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein before his speech, despite their repeated requests.

Alternet - Legal correspondent Lisa Rubin noted that Cassidy and his staff did not meet with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein before his speech, despite their repeated requests.

Alternet - Ken Dilanian, MS NOW reporter, stated that DOJ sources were "blindsided" by Cassidy's comments.

Alternet - Quinn Yeargain, professor of law and democracy at Michigan State University, commented on Cassidy's support for Blanche.

Alternet - National security lawyer Bradley Moss expressed concerns about Cassidy's stance.

Alternet - Democratic attorney Dave Barr criticized Cassidy's decision.

Alternet - Legal correspondent Lisa Rubin noted that Cassidy and his staff did not meet with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein before his speech, despite their repeated requests.

Alternet - Ken Dilanian, MS NOW reporter, stated that DOJ sources were "blindsided" by Cassidy's comments.

Alternet - Legal correspondent Lisa Rubin noted that Cassidy and his staff did not meet with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein before his speech, despite their repeated requests.

Alternet - Legal analysts criticized Cassidy's support for Blanche, with MS NOW reporter Ken Dilanian stating that DOJ sources were "blindsided" by Cassidy's comments.

Alternet - Lisa Rubin, a former litigator and current legal correspondent, noted that Cassidy did not meet with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein before his speech.

Alternet - Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.) announced his support for Todd Blanche as attorney general.

NBC News - Cassidy voiced concerns about the Trump administration's relationship with the Justice Department.

Alternet - Trump stated he would keep Blanche as acting attorney general if he lost the vote.

WHAT:

NBC News - Cassidy's support for Todd Blanche was described as the last expected vote needed for Blanche's confirmation by the full Senate.

AP News - Cassidy stated that Blanche “is not perfect,” citing concerns over a proposed $1.8 billion fund to compensate Trump allies and a tax audit immunity deal for Trump.

AP News - Cassidy expressed that no other nominee may be able to run the department better under Trump.

AP News - Cassidy stated that Blanche “is not perfect,” citing concerns over a proposed $1.8 billion fund to compensate Trump allies and a tax audit immunity deal for Trump.

AP News - Cassidy expressed that no other nominee may be able to run the department better under Trump.

AP News - Cassidy described his expected criticism for supporting Blanche, stating, “What’s new?”

NBC News - Cassidy's support for Todd Blanche was described as the last expected vote needed for Blanche's confirmation by the full Senate.

Alternet - Cassidy stated, "Mr. Blanche showed poor judgment in approving the anti-weaponization slush fund and exempting the president from IRS audits."

NBC News - Cassidy's support for Todd Blanche was described as a decisive factor in the nomination process.

Alternet - Cassidy stated, "Mr. Blanche showed poor judgment in approving the anti-weaponization slush fund and exempting the president from IRS audits."

Alternet - Cassidy expressed that he needed to be convinced that Blanche would act independently of Trump.

Alternet - Cassidy described morale at the Justice Department as "high," which was met with disbelief from DOJ sources, with one source asking, "What is he smoking?"

Alternet - Thousands of Justice Department employees have reportedly left or retired, contributing to a "very depressed" atmosphere among career staff.

Alternet - Cassidy stated, "Mr. Blanche showed poor judgment in approving the anti-weaponization slush fund and exempting the president from IRS audits."

Alternet - Cassidy stated, "Mr. Blanche showed poor judgment in approving the anti-weaponization slush fund and exempting the president from IRS audits. No American should be unfairly targeted by the law. No American should be above the law."

Alternet - Cassidy expressed that he needed to be convinced that Blanche would act independently of Trump, stating, "I’ve got to be convinced that he is an attorney general who just happens to have once been President Trump’s personal attorney, as opposed to President Trump’s personal attorney who is now the attorney general."

Alternet - Cassidy described morale at the Justice Department as "high," which was met with disbelief from DOJ sources, with one source asking, "What is he smoking?"

Alternet - Thousands of Justice Department employees have reportedly left or retired, contributing to a "very depressed" atmosphere among career staff.

Alternet - Cassidy announced his support for Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general.

Alternet - Cassidy described morale at the Justice Department as "high," which was met with disbelief from DOJ sources.

Alternet - Cassidy expressed concerns about the "weaponization" of the Justice Department against Trump's opponents.

NBC News - Cassidy explained his reasoning for supporting Blanche during a Senate floor speech.

Alternet - Cassidy criticized Blanche for approving an "anti-weaponization slush fund" and exempting Trump from IRS audits.

WHERE:

NBC News - The announcement was made during a Senate floor speech.

WHEN:

Alternet - Cassidy's support for Blanche was announced on a Friday morning.

Alternet - Trump mentioned the possibility of keeping Blanche as acting attorney general until another vote in 2027.

WHY:

Alternet - Cassidy expressed concerns about the Justice Department being used for "lawfare," stating, "I am very concerned about so-called lawfare — people being prosecuted not for a valid reason beyond somebody in high office being angry at them."

AP News - Cassidy emphasized that his decision was “not a referendum on President Trump” but rather a specific decision regarding Blanche.

Alternet - Cassidy expressed concerns about the Justice Department being used for "lawfare" against individuals due to political motivations, stating, "I am very concerned about so-called lawfare — people being prosecuted not for a valid reason beyond somebody in high office being angry at them."

Alternet - Cassidy expressed concerns about the "weaponization" of the Justice Department, stating, "I am very concerned about so-called lawfare — people being prosecuted not for a valid reason beyond somebody in high office being angry at them."

Alternet - Cassidy stated he needed to be convinced that Blanche would act independently of Trump.

Alternet - Cassidy expressed concerns about the Justice Department being used for "lawfare" against individuals due to political motivations.

HOW:

AP News - Blanche's nomination was complicated by a settlement of Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS, which included the creation of the $1.8 billion fund and tax audit immunity for Trump and his family.

NBC News - Cassidy articulated his support for Blanche during a Senate floor speech where he appeared emotional.

Alternet - Cassidy's support for Blanche was articulated in a Senate floor speech where he appeared emotional.

Alternet - Cassidy's support was articulated in a floor speech where he addressed his concerns and reasoning.

(UPDATED August 8, 2026 10:21 UTC)

The Justice Department is reportedly facing internal turmoil, with career staff expressing frustration over the direction that Todd Blanche is taking, according to Ken Dilanian. Cassidy's support for Blanche was seen as crucial for his confirmation by the full Senate, despite Cassidy acknowledging that Blanche “is not perfect” and raising concerns about a proposed $1.8 billion fund to compensate Trump allies. Cassidy also voiced worries about the potential misuse of the Justice Department for "lawfare," emphasizing the importance of valid reasons for prosecution rather than personal vendettas from those in power.

(UPDATED August 8, 2026 07:44 UTC)

Senator Bill Cassidy from Louisiana has announced his support for Todd Blanche's nomination as attorney general, despite acknowledging that Blanche “is not perfect” and expressing concerns about a proposed $1.8 billion fund for Trump allies and a tax audit immunity deal for Trump. Cassidy believes that no other nominee might be better suited to run the department under Trump, and he is prepared for criticism regarding his support, stating, “What’s new?” He clarified that his decision is not a referendum on Trump, but rather a specific choice about Blanche, whose nomination is complicated by a settlement related to Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS.

(UPDATED August 8, 2026 02:57 UTC)

In a Senate floor speech, Cassidy expressed his emotional support for Todd Blanche, stating that his backing was the last expected vote needed for Blanche's confirmation by the full Senate. However, Cassidy also raised concerns about Blanche's judgment, criticizing his approval of the anti-weaponization slush fund and the exemption of the president from IRS audits. Additionally, Cassidy noted that he was troubled by the potential misuse of the Justice Department for "lawfare," emphasizing that individuals should not be prosecuted simply due to the anger of someone in a high office.

(UPDATED August 7, 2026 23:28 UTC)

In a recent Senate floor speech, Cassidy expressed his support for Todd Blanche, highlighting that Blanche's past decisions raised concerns about his independence from Trump. Despite Cassidy's emotional delivery, legal experts and Democratic attorneys criticized his stance, with some noting that the Department of Justice was caught off guard by his comments. Additionally, Cassidy emphasized his worries about the potential misuse of the Justice Department for political purposes, referring to it as "lawfare."

(UPDATED August 7, 2026 20:37 UTC)

In a recent Senate floor speech, Cassidy expressed his support for Blanche while appearing emotional, despite not meeting with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein before his remarks, which they had repeatedly requested. Cassidy described the morale at the Justice Department as "high," a claim met with disbelief from DOJ sources who noted that thousands of employees have left or retired, creating a "very depressed" atmosphere among staff. He also raised concerns about the Justice Department being used for "lawfare" against individuals for political reasons, stating that he was "very concerned" about prosecutions driven by anger from those in high office.

(UPDATED August 7, 2026 19:50 UTC)

In a recent Senate floor speech, Cassidy expressed his support for attorney general nominee Blanche but raised concerns about his independence from Trump, emphasizing the need for Blanche to act as an impartial attorney general rather than as Trump's former personal attorney. He criticized Blanche's approval of the anti-weaponization slush fund and the exemption of the president from IRS audits, asserting that no American should be unfairly targeted or above the law. Cassidy also highlighted his worries about the Justice Department being used for political motivations, referring to it as "lawfare" against individuals who may have angered those in high office.

(UPDATED August 7, 2026 17:47 UTC)

Legal analysts have raised concerns over Cassidy's support for Blanche, with MS NOW reporter Ken Dilanian revealing that DOJ sources felt "blindsided" by Cassidy's remarks. During his emotional Senate floor speech, Cassidy claimed that morale at the Justice Department was "high," a statement met with skepticism from insiders who noted that thousands of employees have left or retired, creating a "very depressed" atmosphere. Cassidy also voiced worries about the "weaponization" of the Justice Department, emphasizing his concern over individuals being prosecuted due to personal vendettas from those in power.

(UPDATED August 7, 2026 16:46 UTC)

Senator Bill Cassidy from Louisiana announced his support for Todd Blanche's nomination as attorney general during a Senate floor speech, while also expressing concerns about the Trump administration's relationship with the Justice Department. Cassidy described the morale at the Justice Department as "high," a statement that drew skepticism from sources within the agency, and he criticized Blanche for approving an "anti-weaponization slush fund" that exempted Trump from IRS audits. Cassidy emphasized the need for assurance that Blanche would act independently of Trump, as he voiced worries about the potential political misuse of the Justice Department against Trump's opponents.