Todd Blanche’s Confirmation Hearing is Back On
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Todd Blanche’s Confirmation Hearing is Back On
Donald TrumpTodd BlancheSenate Judiciary Committee

Todd Blanche rescinds the Trump fund after standoff — clearing the way for the Senate Judiciary Committee to advance his attorney general nomination

Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general is set to advance in the Senate Judiciary Committee after he rescinded a fund associated with Donald Trump, following a standoff that saw two Republican holdouts shift their support for the president's nominee, paving the way for a vote later today.

washingtonpost.com4 August 2026 · 15:12 UTC
CuriousCats Full Story

Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general is gaining momentum as the Senate Judiciary Committee prepares to vote on his candidacy. This follows his decision to rescind a fund linked to Donald Trump, which was a point of contention among committee members.123

The shift in support comes after two Republican senators, previously undecided, expressed their willingness to back Blanche, indicating a potential breakthrough for the nomination process. The committee's vote is expected to take place later today, marking a significant step forward for Blanche's bid.

However, his nomination has not been without controversy. Critics have voiced strong disapproval, citing Blanche's ties to Trump and concerns over perceived corruption, particularly regarding IRS immunity for Trump and his family. These criticisms highlight the ongoing scrutiny surrounding Blanche's candidacy and the broader implications of his potential appointment as attorney general.

As the Senate Judiciary Committee moves forward, the outcome of the vote will be closely watched, reflecting the current political climate and the influence of Trump's legacy on the nomination process.

Key Insight
“The committee is expected to vote later Tuesday to advance the nomination, a day after two Republican holdouts said they were now willing to back Blanche. Reader comments denounce the pick over his association with Donald Trump and perceived corruption around IRS immunity for Trump and his family.”
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washingtonpost.com
“The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to vote laterTuesday to advance Todd Blanche’s bid to become the next attorney general, a day after two Republican holdouts said they were now willing to back the president’s nominee.”
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EARLIER IN THE STORY:
The Globe and MailThe Globe and Mail
Senate committee vote set to take place on Todd Blanche's attorney general nomination; he won over GOP senators who had threatened to block his confirmation.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to vote Tuesday to advance Todd Blanche’s nomination to lead the Justice Department.

Attorney GeneralComey IndictmentConfirmation Vote
2026-08-04
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to vote Tuesday to advance Todd Blanche’s nomination to lead the Justice Department after he secured the support of Republican senators who had threatened to block his confirmation.
  • While Blanche insisted he was not auditioning for the permanent post, he moved swiftly to accelerate investigations into Trump foes; the Justice Department indicted James Comey and appointed Joseph diGenova to oversee a Florida-based investigation.
The GuardianThe Guardian
Todd Blanche's US attorney general nomination set for the Senate Judiciary Committee vote; GOP senators drop their opposition

Todd Blanche is on track to become the next US attorney general after two Republican senators dropped their opposition.

Attorney GeneralBlanche NominationCapitol Hill
2026-08-04
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • Todd Blanche, Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer, appears on track to become the next US attorney general after two Republican senators dropped opposition; the Senate Judiciary Committee is due to vote on his nomination this morning.
  • Blanche’s written order, issued late Sunday, followed days of negotiations, and Cornyn and Tillis said they look forward to voting to advance his nomination out of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
CNN
White House was directly involved in acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's order rescinding Trump's 'anti-weaponization' fund — a move to secure GOP Senate support

The White House was directly involved in acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s order to rescind the president’s fund.

Anti-Weaponization FundAttorney GeneralBlanche Order
2026-08-03
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • Late Sunday night, Todd Blanche published a signed memo formally rescinding the order that established the anti-weaponization fund, stating that it 'shall have no force or effect.'
  • The White House was directly involved in acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s order to formally rescind the president’s fund; one official said chief of staff Susie Wiles and legislative affairs director James Braid were 'deeply involved.'
  • President Donald Trump was aware of the deal with holdout Senate Republicans John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, but said on Monday he did not personally review it: 'I didn’t look at it.'
  • For weeks, the Justice Department negotiated with Cornyn’s staff; Cornyn’s chief legal counsel led the talks, and Blanche’s staff sent several versions of the memo.
  • Blanche, Trump’s former personal lawyer and acting attorney general, is viewed as a loyal appointee and wanted to win Senate confirmation, with the White House wanting to help him.
Todd Blanche rescinds fund to advance attorney general nomination; Trump's tax audit immunity remains in place as confirmation path clears
Toronto Star
Todd Blanche rescinds fund to advance attorney general nomination; Trump's tax audit immunity remains in place as confirmation path clears

Todd Blanche rescinded a $1.8 billion fund for Trump’s allies, but audit immunity remains.

Advance NominationAttorney GeneralAudit Immunity
2026-08-03
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • Todd Blanche formally rescinded a $1.8 billion fund meant to compensate Trump’s political allies, but a sweeping audit immunity plan for the president, his sons and the Trump Organization remains in place.
  • Those assurances were enough and are expected to clear the way for Blanche’s confirmation, but the political accommodation leaves in place a highly unusual tax agreement that has spurred bipartisan outrage.
  • In a document sent to lawmakers Sunday, Blanche said the audit immunity — struck as part of Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS — would not protect future tax filings and “applies by its terms only retroactively”; the new parameters limit protection to Trump, Eric Trump, Donald Jr. and the Trump Organization.
  • The latest details of the deal could wipe away more than $100 million in Trump’s back taxes.
  • Dan Greenberg of the Cato Institute said the anti-weaponization slush fund is dead but “tax immunity for the president, his sons, and his family business is still alive,” calling the deal “the product of an illegal settlement.”
  • Some legal and tax experts say the immunity agreement could violate an IRS statute barring executive branch interference in taxpayer audits; because the attorney general is allowed to direct audits, Blanche could step in to halt an audit once he is confirmed.
Todd Blanche confirms ‘anti-weaponization fund’ is dead; Cornyn and Tillis clear path to AG vote by backing nomination
Global NewsGlobal News
Todd Blanche confirms ‘anti-weaponization fund’ is dead; Cornyn and Tillis clear path to AG vote by backing nomination

Blanche rescinded the $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund”, clearing the way for his nomination.

Ag VoteAnti-Weaponization FundAttorney General
2026-08-03
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • Blanche said at a June hearing that the Justice Department would not move forward with the fund amid bipartisan outrage; the committee later postponed a vote after the senators demanded more, and Cornyn said the president was not willing to go along.
  • The order says no members were appointed, no funds were transferred, and no claims were paid, establishing “beyond any doubt, that there is no Fund.”
  • On Monday, Cornyn and Tillis said they will vote to advance Blanche’s nomination, ending the impasse.
  • Trump repeatedly said the fund should go forward and threatened to move forward with it if Blanche was not confirmed; after Thursday’s delay, he said he might pull the nomination and resubmit it after Cornyn and Tillis leave office.
  • The order also narrows the settlement’s tax audit immunity for Trump and his family, clarifying it applies “only retroactively” and does not protect the president from future tax examinations.
  • Blanche, who served as Trump’s defense lawyer, entered the Justice Department last year as deputy attorney general and was elevated after Pam Bondi was fired; Trump’s attorneys said they would appeal a judge’s ruling that the IRS settlement was improper self-dealing.
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