Senator John Cornyn of Texas is withholding his support for Todd Blanche's nomination to be Attorney General, potentially jeopardizing the confirmation of President Trump's nominee. Blanche, Trump's former personal lawyer, is currently serving as acting Attorney General following the dismissal of Pam Bondi.
During Blanche's confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Cornyn expressed concerns regarding a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund" intended to compensate alleged victims of "lawfare" by the Justice Department under previous administrations. Blanche stated that the fund is a "moot issue" as it no longer exists. Cornyn also questioned Blanche about a broad tax immunity agreement for Trump and his family, noting that Trump has not formally agreed to abandon the fund. Cornyn has previously called such tax exemptions "a terrible mistake."
Cornyn's indecision carries significant weight due to the Senate Judiciary Committee's current composition. The unexpected death of Senator Lindsey Graham has left the committee with an 11-10 Republican majority. This razor-thin margin means that all Republican members must vote in favor of a nominee for it to advance out of committee. A "no" vote from Cornyn would deadlock the committee, stalling Blanche's path to a full Senate vote. Blanche's confirmation hearing spanned two days, during which he faced scrutiny over various Justice Department actions during Trump's second term, including the handling of the Epstein files and concerns about politically motivated investigations.
Another Republican on the committee, Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, has also expressed reservations. Tillis stated that he is awaiting Blanche's commitment to meet with victims involved in the Epstein case before he will vote to advance the nomination. Tillis indicated that such a meeting would be a "very important part" of his decision-making process. 
Cornyn, a four-term senator, has previously expressed disillusionment with Trump's demands for loyalty, stating in a recent interview that he reserves the right to choose where he will or will not defer to the former president. As a "lame duck" senator in his final months, his opposition could present a significant obstacle for Trump, who has not had a Senate-confirmed Attorney General since April.
Sources close to the proceedings indicate the committee vote is likely scheduled for the following week. The timeline for replacing Senator Graham on the panel remains unclear, further complicating the confirmation process.
