Why It Matters
The postponement of Todd Blanche’s confirmation vote for permanent Attorney General signals fractures within the Republican Senate majority over how the Trump administration has handled a major settlement with the Internal Revenue Service and the establishment of a controversial fund aimed at compensating alleged victims of political weaponization. The delay could jeopardize Blanche’s path to confirmation in a narrowly divided committee.
What Happened
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley announced Wednesday that the confirmation vote on Blanche for permanent Attorney General would be postponed. The delay followed a request from Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, both Republicans, who expressed concerns about Blanche’s handling of two related matters: a Trump-era settlement with the IRS and a newly created “anti-weaponization” fund.
A scheduled meeting between Blanche and Cornyn was canceled Wednesday morning. Cornyn had requested written documentation showing that Trump’s IRS settlement had been fundamentally altered from its original terms, according to the facts available. The senator did not receive the documentation he sought.
The original vote had been held over from July 23 to July 30, and the new postponement extends that timeline further. The Judiciary Committee is evenly split in terms of party control, with 12 Republicans and 10 Democrats. All Democratic members are expected to vote against Blanche, meaning that the nomination requires unified Republican support to advance to the full Senate.
Blanche, who previously served as Trump’s personal defense lawyer in multiple criminal cases before being appointed deputy attorney general and then acting Attorney General, defended the IRS settlement during his confirmation hearing as a “typical” resolution. He also claimed during a June House Appropriations subcommittee hearing that the “anti-weaponization” fund would not proceed.
The IRS Settlement and Anti-Weaponization Fund
The underlying dispute centers on two interconnected matters. In May, Trump dropped a $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS over the disclosure of his tax documents. The resulting settlement absolved Trump, his sons Eric and Donald Jr., and the Trump Organization from any future tax enforcement action related to the matter.
Separately, the administration established an “anti-weaponization” fund that Blanche has described as financial relief for victims of what he termed “lawfare” across the political spectrum. During his July 15 confirmation hearing, Tillis pressed Blanche on the fund’s scope and purpose, seeking assurances about how it would be administered.
The fund has drawn criticism from lawmakers in both parties. Concerns have centered on whether it could be used to compensate individuals pardoned for their roles in the January 6 Capitol riot. Former Department of Justice officials speaking at a July 22 forum characterized the IRS settlement language as unusual.
By the Numbers
12 — Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee
10 — Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee
$10 billion — value of the lawsuit Trump dropped against the IRS in May
$1.8 billion — size of the “anti-weaponization” fund
Zoom Out
Blanche’s confirmation has become a flashpoint in broader Republican disagreements over presidential power and the limits of executive settlements. A Florida federal judge, in a July 13 order addressing the IRS case, criticized the Trump administration’s settlement as using the presidency to “manipulate” courts, signaling potential legal challenges ahead.
Cornyn’s position carries particular weight given his recent primary loss in Texas, where Trump backed his opponent Ken Paxton. Tillis, who is retiring, faces no electoral pressure from Trump but has historically maintained independence on executive accountability matters.
What’s Next
The Judiciary Committee must resolve the dispute between Blanche and the Republican dissenters before scheduling a new confirmation vote. The DOJ provided a written proposal to Cornyn’s staff Wednesday, though details of its contents remain unclear. Without Republican unanimity, Blanche’s nomination faces an uncertain path, even with party control of the Senate.