WASHINGTON — Republican Senator Bill Cassidy said on Friday he would back Todd Blanche for attorney general, clearing a path for Donald Trump’s nominee after weeks of scrutiny over the Justice Department’s independence from the White House. Cassidy emerged as the likely deciding vote after Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said she would oppose Blanche for the top U.S. law enforcement job, leaving the nomination on the brink. Cassidy’s support for Blanche capped one of the most contentious cabinet fights of Trump’s second term after concerns spanning both parties over Blanche’s independence nearly derailed the nomination. The vote was the culmination of weeks of negotiations between Senate Republicans and the Trump administration over Blanche, who has served as acting attorney general since April and previously ran day-to-day Justice Department operations as its second-ranking official. Justice department under scrutiny Under Blanche’s leadership, the department has opened investigations into Trump’s critics, prompted an exodus of career prosecutors and declared it serves at t
