Blanche Resists Demands as Trump Seeks GOP Support Amid Struggles
WHO:
CNN - Todd Blanche, nominee for attorney general; President Donald Trump; GOP Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn; Sen. Dick Durbin; Sen. Chris Coons; Mike Davis, former Republican staffer.
Alternet - President Donald Trump; Todd Blanche; GOP Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn.
WHAT:
CNN - Todd Blanche's written responses include over 160 instances where he states it would be "inappropriate for me" to respond directly to questions or requests from senators.
CNN - Blanche confirmed that Trump's immunity deal is still in effect, stating, "Yes," when asked if it was still active.
CNN - Blanche declined to rule out reinstating the $1.776 billion "anti-weaponization" fund if Trump requested it, responding that it would be "inappropriate for me to comment on hypothetical communications."
Alternet - Cornyn confirmed he is negotiating with the administration over the settlement's provision that would shield Trump and his family from IRS audits in the future.
CNN - Todd Blanche's confirmation as attorney general is facing resistance from Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn.
CNN - Blanche's written responses to senators include over 400 pages of information.
CNN - Blanche confirmed that Trump's immunity deal is still in effect and did not commit to withdrawing it.
CNN - Blanche stated that the $1.776 billion "anti-weaponization" fund is "dead."
Alternet - The Trump administration is seeking support from Senators Tillis and Cornyn to confirm Todd Blanche.
WHERE:
CNN - Senate Judiciary Committee.
Alternet - Capitol Hill.
WHEN:
CNN - A judge recently ruled against the settlement related to Trump's lawsuit against the IRS.
CNN - Blanche's confirmation hearing occurred last week.
Alternet - Tillis mentioned that his staff has been in touch with the DOJ almost daily.
WHY:
CNN - Concerns remain among Republicans about Blanche's commitment to maintaining the Justice Department's independence from the White House, particularly after he stated, "I'm his lawyer," during a recent hearing.
CNN - Concerns about Blanche's commitment to maintaining the Justice Department's independence from the White House.
Alternet - The Trump administration is attempting to negotiate modifications to the settlement agreement that shields Trump and his family from IRS audits.
HOW:
Alternet - The Trump administration is engaging directly with aides of Senators Tillis and Cornyn to negotiate support for Blanche's confirmation, with Tillis stating, "I know my staff have been in touch, almost, probably daily."
CNN - Blanche's responses to senators often included phrases like "it would be inappropriate for me" to comment on certain issues.
Alternet - The Trump administration is engaging directly with aides of Senators Tillis and Cornyn to negotiate support for Blanche's confirmation.
(UPDATED July 21, 2026 21:22 UTC)
In a recent development, Todd Blanche's written responses reveal over 160 instances where he deemed it "inappropriate for me" to answer questions from senators, while also confirming that Trump's immunity deal remains active. Blanche has not ruled out the possibility of reinstating the $1.776 billion "anti-weaponization" fund if requested by Trump, but stated it would be "inappropriate for me to comment on hypothetical communications." Meanwhile, Senator Cornyn is actively negotiating with the administration regarding a settlement provision that would protect Trump and his family from future IRS audits, with Senator Tillis noting that his staff has been in frequent contact with the administration.
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(UPDATED July 21, 2026 19:29 UTC)
Todd Blanche's nomination as attorney general is encountering pushback from GOP Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn, despite the Trump administration actively seeking their support. Blanche's written responses to the Senate Judiciary Committee included over 400 pages of information, where he confirmed that Trump's immunity deal remains in effect and declared the $1.776 billion "anti-weaponization" fund as "dead." Concerns about Blanche's commitment to the Justice Department's independence from the White House have prompted ongoing negotiations between the Trump administration and the senators' aides.