Todd Blanche’s confirmation as attorney general hinges on the votes of two GOP senators, John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, with the Senate Judiciary Committee set to vote July 30 on whether to advance the nomination to the full Senate. Because the committee splits 12-10 along party lines, a single Republican defection would block Blanche from proceeding, according to reporting from The New York Times and The Washington Post.
Blanche, who served as acting attorney general and was formerly President Trump’s personal attorney, testified before the Judiciary Committee on July 15 and 16. His confirmation hearing focused on several contentious issues, including his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files and a controversial $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” that critics say could function as a slush fund for the president’s allies.
Cornyn said Monday he is discussing two main components of a settlement agreement Blanche brokered with the IRS: one that shields Trump and his family from IRS audits, and the anti-weaponization fund itself. “Those are the issues we’re continuing to discuss with the administration to see whether we can get a modification of the settlement agreement,” Cornyn said, according to Politico. Blanche has repeatedly stated the fund is now effectively dead, but Cornyn pushed the nominee during his hearing to admit the program could still be revived through a breach of contract lawsuit in the future absent a written change to the underlying settlement.
Tillis has also made the anti-weaponization fund a condition of his support. “I have to be convinced that there is no way that it could actually ever be resurrected again,” he told reporters, according to Politico. Tillis has discussed drafting legislation to permanently eliminate the fund, and Blanche indicated during his hearing he would help write the technical language for such a bill.
Tillis added a second condition: that Blanche meet with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse. Blanche, as deputy attorney general, oversaw the release of the Epstein files, which inadvertently exposed victims’ identities. Blanche met with survivors, though at least one survivor called the meeting “insufficient” and alleged Blanche took no responsibility for the botched redaction process, according to reporting from ABC News. Tillis appeared largely satisfied the meeting took place, though he said he wanted to understand what commitments, if any, Blanche made regarding opening FBI investigations into Epstein’s co-conspirators.
The White House is actively courting both senators. A White House official said the administration “continues to have active conversations with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee,” according to Politico. Tillis confirmed his staff has been in near-daily contact with the Justice Department, saying “they are acting. I mean, they’re following up in good faith.” Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Monday he thinks the Judiciary Committee is “hopeful” of advancing Blanche in time for a full Senate vote in early August before the chamber leaves for a monthlong recess.
The balance of power has shifted notably for Cornyn and Tillis, both outgoing Republican senators who have been at odds with the Trump administration. Cornyn suffered a bruising primary loss in Texas to Ken Paxton, whom Trump backed with an endorsement. Now both senators hold leverage over a Trump Cabinet nominee. According to one person granted anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, Tillis is expected to ultimately vote to confirm, with Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley saying Monday he had heard “favorable comments over the weekend from Tillis.” Cornyn’s position remains less certain, with The American Prospect reporting he “is far from a yes.”
Sources
- Politico — Cornyn and Tillis as swing votes, White House discussions, committee vote date of July 30, details of settlement agreement conditions
- The New York Times — Single Republican no vote would block Blanche’s nomination in committee
- The Washington Post — Single Republican no vote could sink Blanche’s nomination, confirmation hearing details
- CNBC — Cornyn and Tillis as undecided GOP senators, Epstein survivor meeting requirement
- ABC News — Epstein survivor’s characterization of meeting with Blanche as insufficient
- The American Prospect — Cornyn’s uncertain position on confirmation
- Senate Judiciary Committee — Confirmation hearing held July 15-16, 2026
