The confirmation process for acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has hit a significant roadblock, as the Senate Judiciary Committee abruptly postponed a scheduled vote on his nomination. The committee, which holds a 12-10 Republican majority, was set to consider advancing Blanche’s nomination to the full Senate on July 30, but the meeting was pushed to an unspecified later date on the eve of the proceedings.
The delay stems from objections raised by at least two Republican committee members: Sen. John Cornyn of Texas and Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina. Both senators have expressed reservations about supporting the nominee without receiving specific concessions from the Justice Department regarding a tax immunity settlement reached between President Donald Trump and the IRS. Cornyn voiced his frustration to reporters on July 29, stating, "I don't know whether it's the staff of the DOJ, or who it is, but they simply – they know what they need to do, but they simply refuse to do it."
A Department of Justice official confirmed that a written proposal was provided to Cornyn’s staff on July 28 following ongoing discussions, though the department did not disclose specific terms. While Tillis’ office did not provide a formal comment, Cornyn suggested their positions are aligned, adding, "I think Senator Tillis is pretty much on the same page that I am, so they better get real, and there's not much time left." Both senators are currently slated to depart the Senate at the end of their terms in January.
Blanche, who previously served as President Trump’s personal defense lawyer, was nominated to lead the Justice Department in June after having served in an acting capacity since April, following the firing of former Attorney General Pam Bondi. His tenure has been marked by efforts to resolve a lawsuit involving the president, his two eldest sons, and his business interests. The proposed settlement included immunity from past tax liabilities and the establishment of an "anti-weaponization" fund intended to compensate Trump supporters involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Following intense bipartisan backlash and a ruling by a federal judge, Blanche announced the department would abandon the fund.
The tax settlement portion remains a point of contention, as it could provide substantial financial relief to the president. Previous reports from The New York Times indicated that a long-standing dispute over a $72.9 million tax refund audit could result in costs exceeding $100 million for the president if resolved unfavorably. Cornyn noted on July 29 that there was still time for the department to address his concerns before the deadline to cancel the committee vote, emphasizing, "Maybe they think I'm just going to give up or go along, but they're mistaken."
This is not the first time Blanche has faced scrutiny from the committee. Tillis previously withheld support over concerns regarding Blanche’s initial failure to meet with individuals claiming sexual abuse by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Blanche subsequently held meetings with those individuals, a step Cornyn had also encouraged.
