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Published Jul 28, 2026Updated Jul 30 Major6
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Trump Threatens to Withdraw Blanche AG Nomination Over Senate Disputes
President Trump threatened July 30 to withdraw Todd Blanche's attorney general nomination until Republican senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis leave office, after the senators demanded written assurances on a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund and tax audit immunity limits from Trump's IRS settlement. The Senate Judiciary Committee indefinitely postponed Blanche's confirmation vote on July 30.
Quick Facts
- Trump threatened to withdraw Blanche's attorney general nomination
- Senate Judiciary Committee postponed confirmation vote indefinitely
- GOP senators demanded written assurances on settlement terms
- $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund was scrapped in June
- Justice Department provided written proposal to address concerns
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President Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw and delay Todd Blanche's nomination as attorney general until Republican senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina leave office, escalating a dispute over Trump's $10 billion IRS settlement.
Blanche, Trump's former personal lawyer who currently serves as acting attorney general, has faced confirmation delays after Cornyn and Tillis—both members of the Senate Judiciary Committee—demanded written assurances addressing two key elements of the settlement: that a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund will not be revived, and that tax audit immunity protections are limited in scope. The fund was originally included in the settlement but was scrapped in June amid bipartisan opposition. Despite repeated public assurances from Blanche and the Justice Department that the fund is dead, the senators remained unconvinced and sought formal written modifications to the settlement agreement itself.
On July 28, Cornyn stated the Justice Department had been "radio silent" on their demands, saying "they know what they need to do but they simply refuse to do it." On July 30, the Senate Judiciary Committee indefinitely postponed a scheduled confirmation vote. That same day, Trump responded by posting on his social media platform that he had "no objection to temporarily withdrawing Todd's name" if the senators do not comply, and would resubmit Blanche's nomination after Cornyn and Tillis leave office in 2027.
Cornyn subsequently countered that Trump was "wrong if he believes" the concerns about the settlement "are limited to me and Senator Tillis," suggesting broader Republican opposition. The vote requires support from the Judiciary Committee and then the full Senate; with all Democrats opposing and only one Republican dissent needed to block the nomination from advancing, Cornyn and Tillis hold significant leverage. The Justice Department provided a written proposal to Cornyn's office on July 29 attempting to address his concerns, but details of its contents were not disclosed.
Why This Matters
Trump's nomination of Blanche as attorney general faces a critical procedural impasse: with all Senate Democrats opposing confirmation and only one Republican dissent needed to block the nomination, two GOP senators (Cornyn and Tillis) possess de facto veto power over a Cabinet-level appointment. The dispute centers on formal written modifications to the IRS settlement agreement—a matter outside the confirmation process itself—creating a precedent for conditioning Cabinet confirmations on executive branch policy reversals. If Blanche's nomination is withdrawn or blocked, acting attorney general status remains unresolved; if it advances, the settlement dispute may persist in litigation or Congressional oversight.
Timeline & Sources
Jul 28, 2026
WireSenator Cornyn reports DOJ 'radio silent' on demand to formally kill anti-weaponization fund; committee vote scheduled for Thursday
Jul 28, 2026
WireCornyn told reporters DOJ has been 'radio silent' on written assurances; called off scheduled meeting with Blanche
Jul 30, 2026
WireCornyn responded that Trump is 'wrong' if he thinks concerns are limited to him and Tillis
Jul 31, 2026
WireSenate Judiciary Committee scheduled vote on Blanche's nomination
Related Signals
Sources
- Todd Blanche John Cornyn Attorney General Nomination B61afbc8fc5d6ab0e7d10cb828cd99cdapWireJul 29, 2026
- Congress Blanche Attorney General Nomination Trump 2b7240c1844c1efd298257fbb5771ad3apWireJul 30, 2026
- Trump Eeuu Congreso Blanche B6a878510f027550ee43f04bafa79cd5apWireJul 30, 2026
- Blanche nomination uncertain as key GOP senator says DOJ ‘radio silent’ on demand to spike controversial fundCNNMediaJul 28, 2026
- Cornyn says there’s no deal on Blanche attorney general nomination: ‘They know what they have to do’The HillMediaJul 28, 2026
- Senate Committee postpones vote on confirmation of Trump’s nominee for US Attorney GeneraltassMediaJul 30, 2026