Senator Thom Tillis confirmed Saturday that attorney general nominee Todd Blanche will not move forward for confirmation next week. The decision stems from a stalemate regarding President Trump's proposed anti-weaponization fund.
Tillis and Senator John Cornyn represent the key opposition within the Senate Judiciary Committee. Both lawmakers refuse to support Blanche until the Department of Justice provides formal written confirmation that the payout fund is no longer under consideration. Tillis stated that despite recent internal discussions suggesting the fund was dead, the President continues to pursue options to revive it.
President Trump signaled his intention to keep Blanche in an acting capacity if the Senate refuses to confirm him. The President also indicated he would push for legislative approval of the fund if necessary. This creates a direct point of friction between the White House and these Republican holdouts.
As it stands, the confirmation process for Blanche remains blocked. Both sides appear entrenched, with the dispute over the fund serving as the primary barrier to progress for the administration's legal team leadership.