2026-07-29
Todd Blanche's nomination to be attorney general has been delayed after Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis withheld support, demanding stronger assurances or written commitments that a Justice Department fund tied to the settlement of Trump's lawsuit against the IRS—referred to as an 'anti-weaponization fund'—would be eliminated or modified. A scheduled Judiciary Committee vote was postponed as a result. President Trump responded by threatening to withdraw Blanche's nomination and resubmit it later, possibly in a new Congress.
Left-leaning outlets frame the episode as evidence of Blanche's political vulnerability and loyalty to Trump undermining his confirmation, with added emphasis on continued payouts to Trump allies and the personal stakes for Blanche. Center outlets focus on the procedural mechanics of the delay, quoting both sides and noting warnings from Republicans (like Sen. Kennedy) about political risks of Trump's threat, while also giving space to Trump's pointed criticism of Cornyn. Right-leaning outlets emphasize Republican resolve to still confirm Blanche despite Trump's threat, portraying Cornyn and Tillis as holding firm on principle, and highlighting Trump's personal jabs at Cornyn as notable political theater rather than substantive obstruction.
Left coverage frames Blanche's stalled nomination as a consequence of his perceived loyalty to Trump and unwillingness to formalize independence from the president's IRS settlement deal, suggesting his ambitions are at risk due to Senate scrutiny.
GOP Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina formally announced their support on Monday for Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general.
President Trump's nominee for attorney general, Todd Blanche, now has support from Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis after he issued a formal order rescinding Mr. Trump's "anti-weaponization fund." Nancy Cordes reports.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche cleared a major hurdle in his push to permanently lead the Department of Justice. He reached a deal with two GOP senators who had said they would block his nomination. Blanche put into writing that the DOJ is scrapping a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund th…
Todd Blanche issues formal order to withdraw ‘anti-weaponization fund’ after weeks of negotiations with Republican senators who were blocking his nomination Blanche formally rescinds Trump’s $1.8bn ‘anti-weaponization fund’ Sign up for the US Breaking News email Kay Granger, a former Republican rep…
The order came after Republican Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn threatened to block Blanche's confirmation for Attorney General if the fund was not rescinded in writing.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has issued a formal order terminating President Donald Trump's $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund" to compensate his political allies.
President Trump's nomination for Blanche's as the next attorney general has been held up in a Senate committee over the anti-weaponization fund. The rescindment could clear the way for confirmation.
The president vowed to push for the payout fund if Senate Republicans fail to confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general, reigniting a dispute over the settlement.
Trump asserted in a Truth Social post that he would keep acting Attorney General Todd Blanche in his current role and press ahead on the "Anti-Weaponization Fund" if Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis refuse to back Blanche.
After declaring ‘anti-weaponization’ fund ‘dead’, Trump reverses and says he’ll revive it despite Senate opposition The US Senate judiciary committee has scheduled a meeting early next week to consider Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general, as Donald Trump promised to revive the controvers…
Todd Blanche’s approach has collided with the jury-of-two reality in the Senate that has, thus far, kept him from the prize he covets: the stability and status conferred by a Senate confirmation.
Attorney General nominee Todd Blanche's confirmation is on hold after some Republican senators refused to vote for him. President Trump suggested that he may press pause on the nomination. Nikole Killion has more details.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's nomination to lead the Department of Justice full-time is in limbo. Two Republican senators, John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, say they will oppose Blanche's nomination unless the DOJ kills a $1.8 billion fund to provide payments to peopl…
President Trump’s threat followed a day of fruitless negotiations with two Republican holdouts, Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche appears at his confirmation hearing in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on July 15, 2026, in Washington, DC. | Win McNamee/Getty Images This story appeared in The Logoff, a daily newsletter that helps you stay informed about the Trump administration witho…
Todd Blanche's attorney general nomination has run into resistance from Republicans demanding answers about a Justice Department settlement tied to Trump's tax returns.
Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis had demanded further assurances about the settlement of Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service Sign up for the US Breaking News email Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democratic senator from Rhode Island, commented on X about the Republicans scrapping the pla…
Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general is up in the air after concerns from two Republicans on the committee that must advance his nomination.
John Cornyn and Thom Tillis accused the nominee for attorney general of refusing to put on paper his promise to kill aspects of the deal he cut to settle President Trump’s suit against the agency.
A seven-figure settlement was announced hours before senators skeptical about the so-called weaponization fund delayed a crucial vote on Todd Blanche’s nomination to be attorney general.
Todd Blanche's nomination to become attorney general stalled Wednesday as lawmakers scrapped a planned committee vote after key Republicans demanded more assurances about the settlement of President Donald Trump's lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service.
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