We could see ‘Todd Blanche going to a full vote next week’: Kaelan Deese
The article discusses ongoing senate tensions surrounding the nomination of Todd Blanche for acting Attorney General, with broad Republican support potentially leading too a full Senate vote. Kaelan Deese from the Washington Examiner reports that Blanche’s confirmation depends on key Republicans, Thom Tillis and John Cornyn, who have various concerns, including the scope of protections in a settlement related to Trump and the IRS. The settlement involves a $1.776 billion fund aimed at compensating those unfairly targeted by government agencies, which critics argue could be used for political purposes, such as cases related to January 6 or Epstein victims. Blanche has stated he opposes the fund moving forward, but there are calls for written assurances from him to prevent the original settlement’s terms from being revived post-confirmation. Senate concerns also include the impact of the settlement on future IRS investigations and enforcement actions. Trump has indicated willingness to withdraw Blanche’s nomination temporarily, possibly returning him to the role later, which could allow Blanche to serve indefinitely without Senate approval. The decision on whether to schedule a confirmation vote might potentially be made by the end of the week, with delays potentially extending the period Blanche remains as acting Attorney General.
Washington Examiner Justice Department reporter Kaelan Deese said tension in the Senate over acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination could still lead to a full vote.
“Ultimately, it seems like that there is more broad Republican support for Blanche,” Deese said on Fox News’s LiveNow streaming network.
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Blanche’s confirmation appears to depend on support from Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and John Cornyn (R-TX).
Cornyn’s central concern is the scope of protections in a DOJ-brokered settlement between President Donald Trump and the IRS. Trump sued the IRS in January after an agency contractor illegally leaked his tax records back in 2023. Cornyn has pressed the DOJ to clarify how broadly the settlement’s provisions limiting IRS audits or investigations could apply to Trump or his adult children, who were also plaintiffs in the lawsuit.
In particular, Cornyn has sought assurances that the language would not immunize Trump or his family from future IRS scrutiny or shield settlement recipients from enforcement by agencies outside the IRS and Treasury Department.
The original settlement also included the formation of a $1.776 billion anti-weaponization fund, intended to compensate people who were unfairly targeted by government agencies, the administration said.
That component from the settlement drew intense scrutiny in Washington, D.C.
Blanche has said on numerous occasions that the anti-weaponization fund would not move forward, though Cornyn’s immediate demand is that the DOJ put Blanche’s assurances in writing so that the terms of the original agreement do not get revived after Blanche is confirmed.
Tillis has also raised concerns about Blanche’s nomination, including the use of the anti-weaponization fund for people connected to the Jan. 6 cases. He also previously stated he would not consider Blanche’s nomination unless Blanche met with victims of the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
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Blanche did comply with this request, and Tillis even praised Blanche on X.
“Tillis seems more inclined to vote for Blanche day by day, and Cornyn even said that he would like to see Blanche confirmed because he thinks that Blanche is good and that he’s been a solid attorney general,” Deese said.
Deese said while Trump has indicated that he wouldn’t mind pulling Blanche’s nomination, there were caveats.
“I have no objection to temporarily withdrawing Todd’s name, if they do not do the right thing, and putting him back after Cornyn and Tillis are out of office,” Trump said on Truth Social Thursday.
The possibility that Blanche could remain acting attorney general for an extended period — with the full authority of the office — may reduce the urgency of a confirmation vote and could explain why the Trump administration has been willing to tolerate delays in the nomination process.
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“So there is a question about, perhaps, could he just serve indefinitely, if there was no Senate confirmation,” Deese said.
Senators could decide by the close of business on Friday whether to schedule a vote as early as next Tuesday, or else risk delaying Blanche’s nomination till after the August recess.
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