Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy says special IRS protections for Donald Trump and his family are ‘totally wrong’ — ‘No American should be above the law’
Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy said special IRS protections granted to President Donald Trump and his family are “totally wrong,” revealing that the provision nearly led him to reject Todd Blanche’s nomination as attorney general. The Louisiana senator ultimately cast the decisive vote in the 50-49 confirmation for Trump’s former defense lawyer after reviewing changes to the controversial tax arrangement and receiving positive assessments of Blanche from federal prosecutors in his state.
Bill Cassidy nearly voted against Todd Blanche
Appearing on CBS News’ Face the Nation on Sunday, August 9, Cassidy said the IRS provision “frankly, almost weighed to vote no.” The provision in question limited IRS scrutiny of Trump, his sons Donald Jr. and Eric and the Trump Organization. “That’s totally wrong,” Cassidy said. “No American should be targeted by the law, but no American should be above the law.”
Prior to the confirmation vote, Blanche rescinded an order establishing the Anti-Weaponization Fund and issued guidance narrowing the Trump-related IRS protections. Democrats argued those changes are insufficiently enforceable, but Cassidy said his concerns had to be weighed against other considerations.
Louisiana prosecutors influenced Bill Cassidy’s decision to vote for Todd Blanche
Cassidy further said federal prosecutors in Louisiana gave him reason to support Blanche, citing what he described as improved accountability and greater attention to violent crime, human trafficking, drug trafficking and healthcare fraud. “There’s a lot of positive things to say about Todd Blanche,” Cassidy said, emphasizing the importance of stable leadership at the Justice Department. Asked whether he trusts Blanche to uphold the Constitution and oversee future elections fairly, Cassidy replied, “I cannot predict the future, and this is not a black or white decision. But I’m confident on that.”
Bill Cassidy casts the decisive vote
Blanche’s confirmation passed 50-49, with Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell absent while recovering from a medical issue. Cassidy’s vote therefore became essential to breaking the deadlock. “I am realistic that President Trump can be unrelenting,” Cassidy said last week, arguing that a confirmed attorney general would have greater leverage to resist presidential pressure than an acting official. “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,” he added.
The decision came despite Cassidy being regarded as a potential Republican holdout. He described the choice as “a gradation of gray,” rather than a clear black-and-white decision, saying there were legitimate arguments on both sides.
‘Todd is going to be a phenomenal attorney general’
Cassidy was among the Republicans who were under pressure over Blanche’s confirmation, particularly after losing his primary this year to a Trump-backed challenger. Ultimately, only Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine voted against Blanche.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt previously told Newsweek, “Todd Blanche’s confirmation is a huge win for President Trump and our country. Todd is going to be a phenomenal attorney general of the United States. The American people will be well served by his unwavering commitment to law and order.” Blanche had served as acting attorney general since Pam Bondi was removed from the position in April amid Trump’s dissatisfaction with her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files.