Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee was postponed this week after key Republican senators refused to budge on demands for written proposals to alter a settlement deal with the Internal Revenue Service concerning former President Donald Trump and his family.
Senators John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., have stated they will not vote to confirm Blanche unless the Department of Justice (DOJ) provides explicit, written modifications to the agreement. The settlement, reached earlier this year, reportedly includes terms that would prevent the IRS from auditing Trump, his family, or affiliated companies. Republicans and Democrats alike have previously expressed concerns regarding the settlement, particularly provisions related to an anti-weaponization fund and the president's audit immunity.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., indicated that the issue was a matter between the White House and the two senators, expressing hope for a resolution that would allow the committee markup to proceed. The DOJ was expected to provide the requested proposals by Wednesday afternoon, but failed to do so, leading Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, to postpone the hearing indefinitely.
Cornyn emphasized that he and his colleagues had made their expectations clear from the outset, seeking written proposals to align the settlement document with Blanche's sworn testimony as acting attorney general. He noted that scheduled meetings had been canceled due to a lack of responsiveness from the DOJ regarding these documents.
Tillis stated that he did not have a personal issue with the DOJ or Blanche but stressed the necessity of securing the correct language in the settlement. He acknowledged the complex process of obtaining agreement from all parties involved, including potentially the former president's legal counsel, but expressed optimism that if the language issues were resolved, he would support advancing Blanche's nomination.
Former President Trump, when asked about the delay, described Blanche as "outstanding" and suggested the confirmation process was moving "pretty nicely." He speculated that the holdup might be personal, referencing Cornyn, but maintained he had not heard of any significant problems.
Blanche's nomination has faced scrutiny since he was tapped to replace former Attorney General Pam Bondi, adding another layer of complexity to his confirmation process in the narrowly divided Senate Judiciary Committee.