The nomination of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to lead the Justice Department has hit a significant roadblock. The Senate Judiciary Committee, which holds a 12-10 Republican majority, unexpectedly postponed a scheduled July 30 vote on Blanche’s confirmation to an unspecified future date. This delay follows vocal opposition from two prominent Republican committee members, Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who have signaled they will not support the nomination without concessions from the department.
Senator Cornyn expressed his frustration on July 29, stating that while he is unsure exactly who within the Department of Justice is responsible for the current impasse, the agency knows what is required but refuses to act. Cornyn emphasized that time is running short and suggested that Senator Tillis shares his concerns, noting that both men expect the department to address the matter before the committee proceeds. Tillis has previously voiced a desire for modifications to a specific settlement agreement that the Justice Department helped facilitate.
At the center of the dispute is a tax immunity settlement reached between President Donald Trump and the IRS. Blanche, who served as Trump’s personal defense lawyer before taking on the acting Attorney General role in April following the firing of Pam Bondi, has overseen efforts to settle a lawsuit involving the president, his two eldest sons, and his business. This settlement offered immunity from past tax liabilities and included plans for an "anti-weaponization" fund intended to compensate Trump supporters involved in the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot. Following widespread bipartisan criticism and a ruling by a federal judge blocking the initiative, Blanche confirmed the department would not proceed with the fund.
The tax portion of the agreement remains a point of contention due to its potential financial impact. Reports from 2020 indicated that the president was involved in a long-standing dispute with the IRS regarding a $72.9 million tax refund; a loss in that audit could cost the president over $100 million. A Justice Department official confirmed that the agency provided a written proposal to Cornyn’s staff on July 28 following ongoing discussions, though the official declined to provide specific details regarding the offer or address the senators' outstanding concerns directly.
Both Cornyn and Tillis are nearing the end of their Senate terms and are set to depart in January. Their current stance adds to a history of scrutiny for Blanche, who previously faced pressure from Tillis to meet with individuals alleging abuse by Jeffrey Epstein. Blanche eventually met with those individuals after the initial concerns were raised.
"Maybe they think I'm just going to give up or go along, but they're mistaken," Cornyn said.
