Todd Blanche's nomination for U.S. Attorney General is in jeopardy as GOP Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis withhold support ahead of a key vote. The senators demand written assurances nullifying a $1.776B "anti-weaponization" fund and limiting tax audit immunity for Donald Trump, both part of a settlement Blanche brokered. Cornyn, who lost his primary after Trump endorsed his opponent, has canceled meetings and says he is "not prepared to vote yes."
Blanche nomination status
- ▪Republicans control 12 of 22 seats on the Judiciary Committee, meaning a single GOP defection could create a tied vote
- ▪Todd Blanche has been leading the Justice Department as acting attorney general since April 2026
- ▪The confirmation of Todd Blanche as permanent U.S. attorney general is in jeopardy due to opposition from key Republican senators
- ▪The Senate Judiciary Committee has a vote scheduled for Thursday morning to decide whether to advance Blanche's nomination
Settlement agreement controversy
- ▪The settlement created a $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” to compensate people who believe they were wronged by the Justice Department
- ▪A judge overseeing the settlement case stated in a ruling that President Trump had engaged in "self-dealing" through the lawsuit
- ▪The standoff centers on a settlement, brokered by Blanche, of President Donald Trump's lawsuit against the IRS
- ▪The agreement also granted President Trump, his family, and his businesses immunity from tax audits by the IRS
Cornyn's leverage tactics
- ▪Sen. Cornyn lost his Republican primary for a fifth term in a May 2026 runoff to Ken Paxton, who was endorsed by Donald Trump
- ▪Sen. Cornyn canceled a scheduled meeting with Todd Blanche on Wednesday, July 29, 2026
- ▪Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis are withholding their support for Todd Blanche's nomination in the Senate Judiciary Committee
Written assurances demanded
- ▪Sen. Cornyn stated he is "not prepared to vote yes" on the nomination if his demands for written changes are not met
- ▪Sen. Cornyn is demanding written assurances that the “Anti-Weaponization Fund” is permanently nullified and will not be revived
- ▪Cornyn also wants written modifications to the settlement to narrow the scope of the tax audit immunity for Trump and his associates
Trump's response
- ▪Sen. Cornyn dismissed President Trump's suggestion as a "convenient excuse" that is "untrue."
- ▪President Trump suggested Sen. Cornyn's opposition might be because Trump did not endorse him in his recent primary race
Epstein survivors' opposition
- ▪After meeting with Todd Blanche, Epstein survivors described the encounter as "demoralizing" and "political posturing."
- ▪A group of Jeffrey Epstein survivors has urged senators to block Todd Blanche's nomination over his handling of the Epstein case
Story comments
Loading comments…