Todd Blanche’s confirmation as attorney general has stalled in the Senate after two Republican senators blocked the vote, demanding written assurances that a controversial $1.8 billion fund designed to compensate Trump allies will be permanently shelved. Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina are withholding their support on the Senate Judiciary Committee, where Blanche, the current acting attorney general, needs unanimous Republican backing to advance his nomination.
The standoff centers on the “anti-weaponization fund,” created as part of a settlement between Trump and the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of his tax returns. Blanche negotiated the deal in May, which would have allowed Trump supporters—including some involved in the January 6 Capitol riot—to claim compensation for what they characterized as politically motivated prosecutions. The fund faced swift bipartisan backlash, and Blanche later announced the fund was dead, but the underlying settlement agreement remained unchanged.
Cornyn and Tillis now insist the Trump administration commit in writing to nullify the fund and limit the scope of a tax audit immunity provision in the settlement. Trump told reporters on Friday that the fund is “dead” but added “I wish it weren’t,” signaling reluctance to formally amend the agreement. The administration has not yet provided the written commitment the senators demand.
The Senate Judiciary Committee postponed a scheduled vote on Thursday to Tuesday, citing the need for additional time under committee rules and ongoing negotiations. A Judiciary Committee spokesperson said the delay would give the White House “more time to secure the votes for the President’s nominee.” However, sources close to the talks indicated no deal was imminent, with Cornyn maintaining his position that formal changes to the settlement are essential.
Trump has suggested an alternative strategy: temporarily withdrawing Blanche’s nomination and renominating him after Cornyn and Tillis leave office in January. Both senators’ terms expire at the end of the year, and Cornyn lost his primary race to Trump-endorsed candidate Ken Paxton. Trump said on Friday he had “no objection” to this approach, writing on social media that he could “put him back after Cornyn and Tillis are out of office.” However, this plan faces a significant obstacle: if Democrats gain control of the Senate in November’s midterm elections, they could block any future confirmation attempt.
The confirmation fight highlights rare Republican resistance to Trump’s nominees. Blanche, who previously served as Trump’s personal lawyer, has been acting attorney general since April. His nomination has drawn scrutiny from Democrats over his role in approving the IRS settlement, but the current obstacle comes from within Trump’s own party. Tillis said on Friday that Blanche had been “forthright, thoughtful and patient” in their discussions, but criticized an “incompetent personal advisor to the President” for refusing to amend the settlement.
The dispute underscores tensions between Trump and senior Republicans on his way out of office. Cornyn, in particular, has faced Trump’s public criticism over his primary loss and his demands regarding the settlement. Trump accused Cornyn on social media of blocking Blanche in retaliation for Trump’s endorsement of Paxton, writing that Cornyn “never had a problem with the so called ‘Fund'” until after Trump backed his opponent.
Sources
- BBC — Trump considering withdrawing Blanche’s nomination, details on the fund and senators’ demands, Blanche’s previous role as Trump’s lawyer
- Politico — Senate Judiciary Committee vote rescheduled to Tuesday, details on negotiations, Trump’s comments about renominating after Cornyn and Tillis leave, Cornyn’s primary loss and Paxton endorsement
- NPR — Confirmation hearing details, Blanche’s statement on the fund during July 15-16 hearings
- AP News — Fund creation and settlement details, Trump’s IRS lawsuit and settlement amount
- The Hill — Trump’s statement that he doesn’t blame Cornyn, details on Cornyn blocking the nomination
