The Senate’s rush to confirm Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche hit a hard stop when two Republican senators demanded written fixes to a controversial settlement with President Trump, leaving a planned Judiciary Committee vote delayed and Washington spinning over audit immunity and a defunct anti-weaponization fund.
Todd Blanche arrived in Washington as a consensus pick to replace Pam Bondi, but last-minute concerns turned his confirmation into a test of priorities inside the GOP. What started as a routine elevation has become a showdown about accountability, legal language and whether a settlement shields a former president from scrutiny.
Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis insisted the Justice Department put its proposed changes in writing before they would move forward, and their demand was narrowly procedural but politically potent. That request was focused on clarifying language around a settlement the DOJ struck with the IRS and the Trump family earlier this year.
The sticking points are familiar and substantive: the now-defunct, nearly $2 billion anti-weaponization fund and a clause that bars IRS audits of the president and his associated businesses. Those items grabbed attention from both sides of the aisle and left senators asking for a clean, explicit document that matches testimony and intent.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune tried to nudge the parties toward a solution and keep the process moving, underscoring the desire among Senate Republicans to get Blanche through. “I think that that’s an issue between, right now, the White House and Senators Cornyn and Tillis,” Thune said. “But, yeah, I would encourage them to sit down, which I think they are, and try to come to a resolution there so that the markup can continue tomorrow, and we can get Todd Blanche ready for the floor.”
The DOJ was given a firm deadline to produce the written proposals, and when the agency missed it, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley postponed the hearing. That delay turned what should have been a quick confirmation into a public scrutiny of both process and personnel.
Republicans have legitimate reasons to press for clarity, but the way the halt played out left many in the conference frustrated that internal disagreements could stall a conservative pick. Critics argued that procedural holds send a message that politics trumps getting qualified leaders confirmed to run the Justice Department.
Blanche had said the settlement included protections preventing the IRS from auditing the president, his family or affiliated companies, which is precisely the language Cornyn wanted reconciled with Blanche’s sworn testimony. Cornyn has been firm about seeing written proposals before he commits, a posture he’s used to extract concessions recently.
He did not mince words about expectations. “We need to conform the actual document to what Todd Blanche testified under oath as the president’s acting attorney general,” Cornyn said. “We’ve had two meetings scheduled that have now been canceled because they have not been responsive in providing those written documents.”
Cornyn also emphasized the initial framing of the demand. He said it was “made clear from the outset that we expected some written proposals to modify the release that was signed in the tax dispute with President Trump and his organization.”
Blanche tried to keep engagement going, meeting with members and rounding the Capitol, but a scheduled meeting with Cornyn was canceled and the uncertainty persisted. Blanche did meet with Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso and otherwise declined to comment to reporters as the process stalled.
President Trump publicly backed Blanche while signaling this should be a routine step in the confirmation process. “Well, all I can say is Todd Blanche is outstanding. And I thought he’s — I thought it was pretty routine because he’s so good,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “You just wouldn’t find a better person. So, I don’t know, maybe John Cornyn is upset with me because I didn’t endorse him. I don’t know what it is, but I haven’t heard that there’s a problem.”
Tillis stressed he was not opposed to Blanche personally and warned that getting written language through the necessary channels is more complicated than it looks. “They’re trying to get it done, but still gotta get it done,” Tillis said. “So there’s, you know, there’s a circle of people that have to go through the loop,” he said. “And I get that, but, you know, if we can get it done or possibly get him reported out on Tuesday, if they schedule a markup, I would support that if we get the language.”
Darnell Thompkins is a conservative opinion writer from Atlanta, GA, known for his insightful commentary on politics, culture, and community issues. With a passion for championing traditional values and personal responsibility, Darnell brings a thoughtful Southern perspective to the national conversation. His writing aims to inspire meaningful dialogue and advocate for policies that strengthen families and empower individuals.