The Senate Judiciary Committee delayed acting attorney general Todd Blanche’s confirmation vote by one week on Thursday, pushing the committee decision to July 30 and extending scrutiny of his record ahead of a full Senate vote.
Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, recessed the session after several Republicans were absent, describing the situation as “kind of rude.” The delay was attributed to “standard committee practice,” according to Grassley’s office, even as Democrats and Republicans used the time to make lengthy statements about Blanche’s nomination.
Blanche, Trump’s former personal defense attorney, faced a contentious two-day confirmation hearing on July 15-16 focused on two major controversies. Democrats and civil rights groups have criticized his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files release, during which several victims’ identities were unmasked. He also faced sharp questioning about his role in establishing a nearly $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund as part of President Trump’s settlement with his own administration’s IRS.
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., the committee’s top Democrat, said he and fellow Democrats oppose Blanche because he “will continue to serve the interests of Donald Trump, not the American people.” Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., led a forum Wednesday featuring former Justice Department officials and an Epstein survivor who questioned Blanche’s fitness to lead the agency.
Blanche was previously confirmed as deputy attorney general in March 2025 by a 52-46 party-line vote. He became acting attorney general on April 2, 2026, after the departure of Attorney General Pam Bondi. Trump nominated him for the permanent position in early June.
The Republican Swing Votes
The confirmation hinges on two undecided Republican senators: Thom Tillis of North Carolina and John Cornyn of Texas. Both have been critical of Blanche over the “anti-weaponization” fund. Tillis, who announced his retirement, said he has a “positive predisposition” toward Blanche but has not made a final decision. Cornyn, who lost his primary to a Trump-backed challenger, has remained noncommittal after Blanche’s hearing.
A single Republican “no” vote would block the nomination from advancing out of committee to the full Senate. Trump has previously targeted both senators—criticizing Tillis for opposing the Big Beautiful Bill Act in 2025 and endorsing Cornyn’s primary opponent earlier this year.
A new development may improve Blanche’s position: Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, was sworn in July 14 and joined the committee for the first time at Thursday’s meeting. Her arrival restores the GOP-led committee to a 12-10 Republican advantage, replacing the tighter margin that existed when Blanche testified.
Sources
- News From The States — reported the committee’s one-week delay on July 23, attributed to standard practice and absent Republicans, and detailed the Epstein files and anti-weaponization fund controversies
- Government Executive — confirmed the postponed vote, the Tillis and Cornyn swing-vote dynamics, and Darline Graham’s committee arrival
- Politico — reported Cornyn and Tillis as undecided swing votes in discussions with the White House
- CNBC — documented both senators’ undecided status after the July 15-16 hearing
- Al Jazeera — confirmed Blanche’s March 5, 2025 deputy attorney general confirmation vote (52-46)
