Cassidy supports Todd Blanche, rescuing Trump's embattled attorney general pick

Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., said Friday he will vote to confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general, giving President Donald Trump's embattled nominee a crucial vote after two other Senate Republicans announced their opposition. Cassidy's support appears to give Blanche the 50 votes he needs for confirmation, assuming no other Republicans defect. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, have said they will vote against Blanche, while Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., remains absent from the Senate. Cassidy had emerged as the pivotal vote after Murkowski announced Friday morning she would oppose Blanche, citing concerns about the politicization of the Justice Department and its handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Blanche, Trump's former personal attorney who is serving as acting attorney general, has faced resistance from several Republicans over his leadership of the Justice Department. Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., ultimately agreed to support Blanche after he provided assurances that a controversial $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund created as part of a settlement in Trump's lawsuit over the leak of his tax records had been rescinded and clarified the scope of an agreement shielding Trump and members of his family from certain tax audits. This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates.dates.