WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) announced he would vote to confirm Todd Blanche as Attorney General, handing Donald Trump’s personal lawyer control of the Justice Department. Cassidy spent weeks warning about “lawfare” and a weaponized DOJ, then announced he’ll cast the deciding vote to weaponize it further.
In response, the Not Above the Law coalition’s co-chairs — Lisa Gilbert, Co-President of Public Citizen; Praveen Fernandes, Vice President of the Constitutional Accountability Center; Kelsey Herbert, Campaign Director at MoveOn; and Brett Edkins, Managing Director for Policy and Political Affairs at Stand Up America – released the following statement:
“This is an abdication of the Senate’s duty to protect and defend our Constitution and the rule of law. Bill Cassidy spent weeks speechifying about needing a Justice Department that answers to the American people and not the whims of one reckless president. Then, when it mattered, he folded.
“Protecting the rule of law demands boldness and integrity. We got neither from Senator Cassidy and most of his Republican colleagues today.
“Todd Blanche will become Attorney General having already told the Senate, in writing, that DOJ independence from the president ‘is not true,’ having built a $1.776 billion slush fund that his own allies say can be resurrected the moment he’s confirmed, and having stonewalled Epstein survivors.
“Todd Blanche is Donald Trump’s lawyer, and the American people know that, even if Sen. Cassidy is too scared of Trump to say so. Not Above the Law will continue to make sure the American people know exactly who Blanche is working for.”
For questions about our work to hold Trump accountable or to request an interview with a Not Above the Law coalition leader, please email press@focalpointstrategygroup.com.