Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has cleared a significant hurdle in his path to becoming the permanent attorney general, securing a 12-10 vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. His confirmation process advanced after a last-minute deal was struck with key Republican holdouts, Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina and John Cornyn of Texas, addressing their concerns about the Department of Justice's "anti-weaponization fund" and audit immunity for President Donald Trump and his family.
Deal Details and Republican Doubts
The agreement stipulates the permanent rescission of the nearly $2 billion anti-weaponization fund and a narrowed scope for Trump's audit immunity, elements that Blanche had previously presented as part of a settlement with the IRS. Tillis stated that "enough data in the record" confirmed the fund's rescission and expressed faith in Cornyn's assessment of the audit component, which he believes is narrowly defined and retrospective, applying only to parties involved in the agreement.
However, some senators remain skeptical. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., described the outcome as yielding "nothing meaningful," arguing that the tax immunity deal is still "unlimited" for past potential liability and that the "slush fund" remains viable for Trump. Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., acknowledged the importance of the deal to Cornyn and Tillis but noted that Trump could potentially "renege on their agreement."
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Path to Full Senate Confirmation Remains Uncertain
Despite passing the committee, Blanche's nomination still faces uncertainty on the Senate floor. With Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., absent as he recovers from an injury, Blanche can only afford to lose two Republican votes for confirmation. Several Republican senators, including Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, John Curtis of Utah, and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, have not yet declared their support. Murkowski indicated she wants to "find out a little bit more about the negotiations" but acknowledged that disbanding the fund was a positive step.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., expressed a desire to confirm Blanche before the Senate's September break, but acknowledged that the packed schedule and remaining variables made a definitive timeline unclear. The vote in the full Senate will be the final test for Blanche's nomination.