Todd Blanche attorney general nomination in jeopardy as GOP senators demand assurances

Jul 28, 2026

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.