Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
Allison Robbert/AP Photos
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Allison Robbert/AP Photos
WASHINGTON — On Wednesday, the nomination of Todd Blanche for attorney general hit a roadblock when a scheduled committee vote was canceled. This decision followed demands from key Republican lawmakers for further assurances regarding the settlement of President Donald Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service.
The Senate Judiciary Committee was set to decide on Thursday whether to advance Blanche’s nomination to the full Senate. However, resistance from two Republican senators on the committee has cast doubt on his confirmation.
A committee spokesperson announced on Wednesday night that the vote would be delayed “as work continues to secure sufficient support.” This postponement occurred after extensive negotiations between the Justice Department and Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis concerning the contentious settlement that provided Trump and his family with protection from tax audits.
The dispute centers on the resolution of Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS. The settlement included dropping tax claims against Trump and scrapping plans for a $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” aimed at compensating those who felt wronged by the Justice Department. Although the department announced in June that it would not proceed with the fund due to bipartisan backlash, the audit immunity agreement still stands.
Cornyn and Tillis have requested written assurances that the “Anti-Weaponization Fund” is discontinued and seek clarity on the tax immunity deal’s scope. Cornyn has expressed a desire for the agreement to be modified to apply only to existing audits, not future tax filings.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, speaks during a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP
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Mark Schiefelbein/AP
Cornyn, who recently lost the Republican primary in Texas, accused the Justice Department earlier Wednesday of “stonewalling” and said “the ball is in Blanche’s court.”
“We’re been trying to help them get to a conclusion here and they won’t let us. It’s befuddling to me,” Cornyn told reporters.
Blanche didn’t answer shouted questions from reporters as he left Capitol Hill, where he had been meeting with senators Wednesday. The Justice Department sent Cornyn and Tillis new language Wednesday evening in an effort to satisfy their demands, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to talk about sensitive discussions surrounding Blanche’s confirmation.
After the vote was postponed, the department said in a statement that it looks “forward to continuing to work productively with Senators to address any concerns.”
Trump on Wednesday downplayed any concerns about Blanche’s path to confirmation, calling his attorney general pick and former personal attorney “outstanding.”
“Maybe John Cornyn’s upset with me because I didn’t endorse him,” Trump told reporters in response to questions about the senator’s requests.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton won the state’s Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate, easily defeating Cornyn. Trump had endorsed Paxton.
Some lawmakers have questioned whether the “Anti-Weaponization Fund” could be resurrected absent a commitment in writing from the Trump administration that it is not moving forward, especially since Trump has expressed continued support for the idea. Blanche had previously resisted requests for a formal written retraction, though he told senators at his confirmation hearing earlier this month that the administration would be willing to help craft legislation to bar the creation of the fund.
The settlement resulting from Trump’s lawsuit over his leaked tax returns has drawn intense scrutiny both in Congress and in court. The judge handling the case said in a scathing ruling earlier this month that Trump had effectively engaged in self-dealing through the lawsuit and that she was troubled Blanche had signed the settlement, given his prior representation of Trump.
Blanche has said he disagrees “with the judge’s insinuations” about him.
