Trump's pick for top law enforcement official gets crucial last-minute lifeline for confirmation
As Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's confirmation appeared headed for sure defeat, one on-the-fence Senate Republican gave him, and President Donald Trump, a vital lifeline. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., has...
By Fox News · Fox News
As Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's confirmation appeared headed for sure defeat, one on-the-fence Senate Republican gave him, and President Donald Trump, a vital lifeline. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., has remained quiet throughout this and last week on how he would vote on Blanche, who barely survived his confirmation vote from the Senate Judiciary Committee. Now, after conversations with Trump's pick to lead the Department of Justice (DOJ), the pieces are in place to confirm Blanche. "I will vote for Mr. Blanche," an emotional Cassidy said on the Senate floor. "I'll be criticized for this vote. What's new? But, the people of Louisiana can be assured that I worked hard to understand the issue and to make the right decision." COLLINS DROPS THE HAMMER ON TRUMP'S PICK TO LEAD DOJ, JEOPARDIZING PATH TO CONFIRMATION With Cassidy's green light, Blanche has a chance, even with Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., missing in action. But to be confirmed, Senate Republicans will need an assist from Vice President JD Vance. Still, it’s unclear whether the Senate will actually vote on Blanche on Friday, which could be the upper chamber’s grand finale of the summer before it exits Washington, D.C., for the remainder of August. It comes after Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, announced that she would not support Blanche’s nomination to be the nation’s top prosecutor and law enforcement official, dealing another blow to his rocky confirmation process. Her defection, despite a heavy lobbying effort by Blanche that saw him make the trek to Alaska, means that Senate Republican leadership can’t afford to lose anymore votes to get him across the finish line, given that , R-Ky., though now back home, has still not returned to the Senate. Murkowski acknowledged Blanche’s visit to Alaska and heavy lobbying effort throughout the last few weeks, but it’s his connection to President Donald Trump’s nearly $2 billion anti-weaponization fund, and broader concerns of a weaponized Justice Department, t…