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◆ Mixed look for CassidyEthics / CorruptionCriminal Justice

'Traitor': Trump condemns GOP senator who refused to bend the knee and vote for Todd Blanche

Cassidy backed Blanche on the Senate floor, saying the former Trump lawyer could be equipped to push back against the president.

'Traitor': Trump condemns GOP senator who refused to bend the knee and vote for Todd Blanche
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Host credibilityAOL.com59/100 MEDIUM
This article1 analysis · Oct 1, 2026

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Republished from The Independent, with credit to the original publisher.

The Independent77/100 HIGH

132 stories · 76–77 · updated Oct 1, 2026

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AOL.comvia The Independent
Aug 8, 2026
tl;dr

President Trump called Sen. Lisa Murkowski a “traitor” after she voted against Todd Blanche’s confirmation as attorney general. Blanche was confirmed 50-49, with Sen. Bill Cassidy supplying the decisive Republican vote after Blanche agreed to abandon a proposed compensation fund and narrow IRS audit protections.

Community verdict

18 VOTES
How does this story look for
Bill Cassidy R · LA · SEN
● OPEN

People in this story

SWIPE →
Bill Cassidy
R · LA · SEN

Senator whose vote secured Blanche’s confirmation

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Lisa Murkowski
R · AK · SEN

Senator who opposed Todd Blanche’s confirmation and was criticized by Trump

Murkowski's version of this story ↗
Todd Blanche
R · Attorney General

Attorney general whose Senate confirmation is at the center of the story

Blanche's version of this story ↗
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who attacked Murkowski over her vote

Trump's version of this story ↗
Chuck Grassley
R · IA · SEN

Senator who endorsed Blanche during debate

Former attorney general mentioned as having left the post

Former attorney general mentioned in Trump’s criticism of Murkowski

Susan M. Collins
R · ME · SEN

Senator who opposed Blanche’s confirmation

Former president mentioned in Trump’s comparison to an earlier attorney general confirmation

Richard J. Durbin
D · IL · SEN

Senator who criticized Blanche’s confirmation

ALSO MENTIONED  William Barr, Former attorney general whose advice Cassidy cited

Part of a bigger story

11 OUTLETS
Murkowski Announces Opposition to Blanche Attorney General Nomination

Outlets agree that Bill Cassidy said he would support Todd Blanche’s attorney general nomination while Lisa Murkowski said she would oppose it. Center outlets report the split alongside concerns about the Justice Department, a proposed fund and tax protections, including Cassidy’s support despite reservations. Right-leaning outlets likewise report both senators’ positions but stress that confirmation remained uncertain.

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