WASHINGTON (AP) — The nomination of Todd Blanche for attorney general encountered obstacles on Wednesday. Lawmakers halted a planned Senate Judiciary Committee vote due to demands from key Republicans over the settlement of President Donald Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
The committee had anticipated voting on Thursday about advancing Blanche’s nomination to the full Senate. However, opposition from two Republican senators on the committee placed his confirmation at risk. A committee spokesperson announced the vote delay on Wednesday night, citing ongoing efforts to garner sufficient support.
The delay followed hours of discussions between the Justice Department and Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis. They questioned the contentious settlement agreement, which provided Trump and his family with protection from IRS audits.
The focal point of the conflict is Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS. The settlement included dropping tax claims against Trump and a now-abandoned plan to create a $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” for individuals who felt wronged by the Justice Department. Although the department announced in June the abandonment of the fund due to bipartisan criticism, the audit immunity part remains effective.
Cornyn and Tillis demand written assurances that the “Anti-Weaponization Fund” is permanently canceled and need clarity on the tax immunity arrangement. Cornyn wants the settlement revised so it covers only existing audits and excludes future tax filings from protection.
The ball is in Blanche’s court.— John Cornyn
Cornyn, who recently lost the Republican primary in Texas, accused the Justice Department of stalling. He expressed frustration, saying, “We’re been trying to help them get to a conclusion here and they won’t let us.”
Blanche declined to answer questions from reporters after meetings with senators on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. The Justice Department sent updated language to Cornyn and Tillis to meet their concerns, according to an anonymous source.
Following the vote postponement, the department stated it looks forward to working with Senators to resolve concerns. Trump minimized worries about Blanche’s confirmation outlook, praising him as an “outstanding” choice.
Trump attributed Cornyn’s dissatisfaction to his lack of endorsement in the Republican primary, which was won by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Uncertainty persists about whether the “Anti-Weaponization Fund” might be revived without a written commitment from the Trump administration. Trump has shown ongoing support for the concept. Previously, Blanche resisted formal retraction requests but indicated willingness to aid in drafting legislation that would bar the fund’s creation.
The settlement from Trump’s lawsuit over leaked tax returns is under thorough examination in Congress and court. A judge criticized the lawsuit as self-dealing and expressed concern about Blanche’s involvement, given his previous representation of Trump. Blanche stated his disagreement with the judge’s implications about him.
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