Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is navigating a treacherous path to Senate confirmation, with Republican senators raising serious questions about his credibility and independence from President Trump. A private meeting last month saw more than 20 GOP lawmakers voice sharp criticism over his proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund, which they view as a potential vehicle for payouts to January 6 rioters.
In a bid to salvage his nomination, Blanche assured senators in two private meetings this week that the fund is dead and he would oppose any future revival by Trump. But skepticism lingers, particularly over a separate agreement shielding Trump and his family from IRS audits of past tax returns.
Cornyn and Tillis Key to Judiciary Vote
Senator John Cornyn of Texas, a senior Judiciary Committee member, grilled Blanche on the audit deal during a Tuesday meeting. “There’s still some unanswered questions about the tax audits and the scope of any immunity from future audits,” Cornyn said, noting that Blanche promised a more detailed briefing. The senator added that confusion persists over whether the deal covers only taxes or extends to other government investigations.
Blanche needs every Republican on the Judiciary Committee to advance to the floor, making Cornyn and Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina pivotal. Tillis, a vocal critic of the fund, has demanded concrete assurances it is permanently dead. “I still want that 1.776 turkey dead with a stake in it,” he said, referencing the fund’s dollar amount. Tillis has also warned that any indication Blanche supported January 6 rioters would be a dealbreaker.
Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana flagged Blanche’s credibility issues, citing past statements about the fund. “He’s made some bold statements to us that put his credibility squarely on the line,” Kennedy said, adding that Blanche’s categorical denial of a future fund clashes with Trump’s hints otherwise.
Floor Vote Uncertain
Senate Majority Leader John Thune offered a terse assessment: “Uh, we’ll see.” He emphasized that Blanche’s performance before the Judiciary Committee will determine his fate. “If he can get a strong vote coming out of the Judiciary Committee, then my expectation is we would be able to process him on the floor,” Thune said.
Beyond the committee, undecided senators like Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine are waiting for more answers. Murkowski wants clarity on the audit deal, while Collins, facing a tough reelection in a state that backed Biden and Harris, will decide after the hearing. Collins’s vote could be influenced by broader dynamics, including the Oklahoma GOP governor primary and other races testing Trump’s influence.
Blanche’s confirmation could also intersect with upcoming Democratic oversight efforts. Representative Robert Garcia has vowed to issue subpoenas for Blanche and other Trump officials if Democrats retake the House, as detailed in a separate report. Such threats underscore the political crossfire Blanche faces.
For now, Blanche must convince skeptics like Cornyn that the audit deal is narrowly defined and that the anti-weaponization fund is truly buried. As Kennedy put it, “If I were the nominee, I’d listen to Sen. Cornyn because he might vote no if he doesn’t get a satisfactory answer.”
