Senate Republicans have delayed the confirmation vote for acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, demanding written assurances that a $1.8 billion Justice Department fund — created as part of a settlement with President Trump over an IRS lawsuit — will be formally terminated. The Senate Judiciary Committee postponed a Thursday morning markup after Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina withheld support, according to CBS News and The New York Times.

Main Story

The nomination of Todd Blanche to become attorney general has hit a significant roadblock as Senate Republicans demand concrete action on a controversial Justice Department fund. The Senate Judiciary Committee, led by Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa, canceled a Thursday morning markup after key Republicans refused to support Blanche without written guarantees. A committee spokesperson stated that the postponement allows work to continue securing sufficient support to favorably report the nominee, who is described as highly qualified, according to CBS News.

Senator John Cornyn of Texas, a pivotal vote on the panel, told reporters he was not prepared to vote yes without an agreement. He has demanded formal modifications to an agreement the Justice Department made with President Trump to settle his lawsuit against the IRS. The settlement includes a nearly $1.8 billion fund to compensate individuals who claim they were politically persecuted, as well as tax audit immunity for the president and his family for prior tax returns, as reported by CBS News and The New York Times.

Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, another committee member, shared Cornyn's concerns but appeared more hopeful about a resolution. The two senators met with Chairman Grassley hours before the vote was canceled, according to CBS News. The delay underscores the delicate balance of power in the Senate, where Blanche needs every Republican vote on the Judiciary Committee to advance his nomination to the full Senate, as noted by The Guardian.

Why It Matters

The standoff over the anti-weaponization fund represents a rare instance of Republican senators pushing back against a Trump administration priority. The fund, established as part of a settlement to resolve Trump's lawsuit against the IRS, has drawn criticism from both parties. Cornyn and Tillis want written assurances that the fund will be formally terminated and that the scope of the settlement — including tax audit immunity — will be restricted, according to The New York Times. The delay also highlights the broader debate over the Justice Department's role in politically sensitive cases and the use of taxpayer funds for settlements.

Adding to the controversy, a seven-figure payout from the fund was announced hours before the vote delay, according to The New York Times. This timing has fueled skepticism among senators who question the fund's oversight and purpose.

Political Context

Todd Blanche, who previously served as President Trump's personal lawyer, is already serving as acting attorney general. His nomination is seen as a test of the administration's ability to navigate Senate confirmation processes. The delay also reflects internal Republican divisions over the Trump-IRS settlement, which some senators view as an overreach. The Justice Department has stated it has been in regular communication with committee members for weeks and looks forward to continuing to work productively with senators to address concerns, as reported by CBS News.

What Officials and Groups Are Saying

A Justice Department spokesperson said the department has been in regular communication with committee members for weeks and looks forward to continuing to work productively with senators to address any concerns, according to CBS News. The committee spokesperson emphasized that Chairman Grassley works to set President Trump's nominees up for success, not failure, and that the postponement is part of that effort, as reported by The Hill.

Timeline

  • June 2026: The Justice Department reaches a settlement with President Trump over his IRS lawsuit, creating a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund and granting tax audit immunity.
  • July 29, 2026: Senators Cornyn and Tillis demand written assurances to kill the fund; the Judiciary Committee postpones the vote on Blanche's nomination.
  • July 29, 2026 (evening): A seven-figure payout from the fund is announced, intensifying scrutiny.
  • July 30, 2026: The scheduled markup is canceled; negotiations continue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Todd Blanche's nomination delayed?

Senate Republicans, led by John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, are demanding written assurances that the DOJ's anti-weaponization fund will be terminated and that the Trump-IRS settlement's scope will be restricted. Without these guarantees, they have withheld support, leading to a postponement of the committee vote (CBS News).

What is the anti-weaponization fund?

The fund is a nearly $1.8 billion pool created as part of a settlement between the Justice Department and President Trump to resolve his lawsuit against the IRS. It is intended to compensate individuals who claim they were politically persecuted (CBS News).

What does the Trump-IRS settlement include?

In addition to the fund, the settlement grants tax audit immunity to President Trump and his family for prior tax returns (CBS News).

Can Blanche still become attorney general?

Yes, but he needs every Republican vote on the Senate Judiciary Committee to advance his nomination. The postponement allows time for negotiations to address senators' concerns (The Guardian).

What happens next?

The committee will continue discussions with the Justice Department to secure written modifications. If an agreement is reached, a new vote will be scheduled. If not, Blanche's nomination could be in jeopardy (The Hill).

What Happens Next

The fate of Todd Blanche's nomination now rests on whether the Justice Department provides written assurances to Senators Cornyn and Tillis. The committee has signaled willingness to work toward a resolution, but the delay underscores the political sensitivity of the anti-weaponization fund and the Trump-IRS settlement. If an agreement is reached, a new vote could be scheduled quickly. If not, Blanche may face a more difficult path to confirmation, potentially requiring support from Democrats or a change in strategy. The outcome will have implications for the Justice Department's independence and the administration's ability to secure key appointments.