Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche met Aug. 5 with Republican Sens. Bill Cassidy and Lisa Murkowski as they decide whether to support his nomination to lead the Justice Department. Sen. Susan Collins has pledged to vote against the nomination, and with Sen. Mitch McConnell absent and Democrats opposed, one additional GOP "no" would be enough to block confirmation. Cassidy pressed Blanche for assurances he would act as an independent attorney general rather than primarily as President Trump's former lawyer. The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the nomination 12-10, and Senators Cornyn and Tillis moved to advance after reaching an agreement addressing concerns about a proposed $1.8 billion fund.
Blanche Seeks GOP Backing: Meetings With Cassidy and Murkowski Could Decide AG Confirmation
Alex Wong/Getty Images - PHOTO: Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche leaves after a meeting with Sen. Bill Cassidy and Sen. Lisa Murkowski at the U.S. Capitol on Aug. 5, 2026, in Washington, D.C.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche met Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, with Republican Sens. Bill Cassidy and Lisa Murkowski on Capitol Hill as both weigh whether to support his nomination to lead the Department of Justice, sources told ABC News. The outcome of those private talks could determine whether Blanche secures the slim Republican votes he needs to be confirmed.
Why These Meetings Matter
Republican Sen. Susan Collins announced Tuesday she will vote against Blanche when the nomination reaches the Senate floor. With Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell absent and Democrats opposing the nomination, a single additional Republican "no" from Cassidy or Murkowski would be enough to derail Blanche's confirmation.
Concerns From Republican Senators
Sen. Bill Cassidy expressed broader worries about what he called "lawfare" at the Justice Department — prosecutions he says can result from political pressure — and has sought reassurances that Blanche will serve as an independent attorney general rather than as a continuation of his former role as President Trump's personal lawyer.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images - PHOTO: Sen. Lisa Murkowski speaks to reporters during a vote in the U.S. Capitol Building, August 5, 2026 in Washington.
"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," Cassidy told SiriusXM on Wednesday.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski remained noncommittal entering the meeting, saying she had not yet decided and that she would withhold comment until further developments.
Committee Vote And Other Republicans
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 12-10 along party lines Tuesday to advance Blanche's nomination to the full Senate for a floor vote expected later this week. Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, who had earlier raised concerns about Blanche related to reports of an IRS immunity arrangement and the administration's proposed $1.8 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund," ultimately voted to advance the nomination after reaching an understanding with Blanche.
Critics have noted that the agreement Cornyn and Tillis accepted does not include language that would legally bar a future revival of the contested fund under a different name or mechanism. Cornyn said the Justice Department has been "consistent" in saying the fund is dead and that he expects the department to honor that position in any future litigation.
Photo: Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche departing the U.S. Capitol after meeting with Sens. Bill Cassidy and Lisa Murkowski on Aug. 5, 2026, in Washington, D.C.
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