Cassidy backs Blanche for attorney general, clearing way for confirmation

Key Points:

• Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana announced his support for Todd Blanche's nomination as permanent U.S. attorney general, potentially securing Blanche's confirmation despite opposition from GOP Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski and all Democrats.
• Cassidy acknowledged Blanche's imperfections, particularly criticizing his approval of a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund and granting former President Trump immunity from tax audits, but argued that Blanche is a better option than the current acting attorney general.
• Blanche's nomination faced scrutiny over the fund's potential payouts to Jan. 6 defendants and the Justice Department's handling of Jeffrey Epstein investigation documents, including Blanche's controversial meeting with Epstein survivors.
• To gain key Republican support, Blanche rescinded the "anti-weaponization" fund and clarified the tax immunity deal for Trump, leading the Senate Judiciary Committee to advance his nomination along party lines.
• Despite concerns, Cassidy emphasized the need to avoid politicized prosecutions and expressed that Blanche's confirmation is necessary to maintain progress on fighting violent crime and other law enforcement priorities.