Blanche nomination hangs by a thread as Cornyn stands by settlement ultimatum
The nomination of Todd Blanche for attorney general is in jeopardy as Senator John Cornyn holds firm on his demands. Cornyn is currently refusing to support the confirmation until the Department of Justice addresses a specific settlement agreement involving President Donald Trump and the IRS. The senator is calling for formal modifications to the existing deal, including the removal of a controversial anti-weaponization fund and a shift in tax audit immunity protections.
Time is running out for the administration. With a Senate Judiciary Committee vote scheduled for Thursday, Cornyn has set a clear deadline for the department to provide a written proposal. He maintains that he has not yet received a document that meets his requirements. This delay places significant pressure on the White House to reach a resolution before the upcoming summer recess begins next week.
Cornyn is a key figure in this process. Because the committee vote is narrow, his opposition carries weight. He has stated publicly that his colleagues are mistaken if they believe he will yield on these conditions. Another Republican senator, Thom Tillis, has indicated he intends to follow Cornyn's lead, further complicating the administration's path to a successful confirmation vote.
While the Department of Justice noted that it shared a written proposal with the senator's staff on Tuesday, the standoff continues. As the Thursday deadline approaches, the future of the nomination rests on whether the administration can provide the specific changes demanded by Cornyn.