Todd Blanche, Trump's ex-lawyer, confirmed as US attorney general

It remains unclear whether the commitment is legally binding or whether Trump could later persuade Blanche, his former personal attorney, to revive a similar scheme under another name.These issues meant Collins and Murkowski held off on backing Blanche, with the latter citing her lack of confidence in Blanche to "check the worst impulses of this administration".Murkowski announced on Friday she would oppose Blanche, citing concerns over the "politicisation" of the Justice Department.Getty ImagesCassidy said he ultimately trusted Blanche to give the president ​candid legal adviceCollins also raised concerns about Blanche's role in settling Trump's $10 billion lawsuit with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), but said he ultimately trusted Blanche to give the president ​candid legal advice."This is not a referendum on President Trump, it is a decision regarding Mr Blanche, in very specific circumstances," said Cassidy on Friday. "All considered, I will vote for Mr Blanche."Cassidy acknowledged Trump is the ultimate decider on the direction of the Justice Department, but that Senate confirmation would give Blanche "greater leverage to push for things that should be pushed for."Cassidy also said he was reluctant to impede the department's work fighting violent crime.