GOP Senator Suspends Meeting Over Trump Nominee's Resistance

WHO:

Alternet - Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), President Trump, Todd Blanche (Trump's candidate for attorney general), Chuck Grassley (Judiciary Committee Chairman, R-Iowa), Kathleen Williams (U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Florida).

WHAT:

Alternet - Sen. John Cornyn stated, “Hopefully they now recognize the seriousness of this,” regarding the lack of response from the Justice Department about the slush fund.

Alternet - Cornyn read the language verbatim from page four of the settlement agreement: "This settlement agreement can be modified, may be modified only upon the written agreement of the parties."

CNN - Cornyn told reporters, “They just don’t want to do it,” referencing the Justice Department's failure to meet his demands.

ABC News - Cornyn stated, “There’s no real need to have a meeting if they will just produce the documentation that we’ve requested,” emphasizing the urgency of his request.

ABC News - Cornyn expressed frustration, saying, “I haven’t seen a single piece of writing that is responsive to what I’ve requested,” regarding the Justice Department's response to his demands.

Talking Points Memo - Cornyn indicated that if there are not enough votes to confirm Blanche, the vote may be postponed, stating, “If there’s not enough votes to confirm him, then Senator Grassley might decide to postpone it.”

Alternet - Sen. John Cornyn canceled a meeting with Todd Blanche due to the Justice Department's failure to provide satisfactory documentation regarding the "slush fund."

CNN - Cornyn stated, “They just don’t want to do it,” referring to the Justice Department's inaction on his demands.

ABC News - Cornyn expressed that he has not received a written commitment from the Justice Department to formally kill the "Anti-Weaponization Fund."

CNBC - Cornyn mentioned that the DOJ provided a draft order rescinding the $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” but it did not address the audit portion of the settlement.

Alternet - Cornyn stated, “Hopefully they now recognize the seriousness of this,” regarding the lack of response from the Justice Department about the slush fund.

CNN - Cornyn mentioned that the planned vote for Todd Blanche's nomination is at risk due to his lack of support, stating, “If there’s not enough votes to confirm him, then Senator Grassley might decide to postpone it.”

ABC News - Cornyn expressed frustration, saying, “There’s no real need to have a meeting if they will just produce the documentation that we’ve requested.”

CNBC - Cornyn indicated that the DOJ had provided a draft order rescinding the $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” but it did not address the audit portion of the settlement.

CNN - A DOJ official claimed they provided a written proposal to Cornyn’s staff, but Cornyn stated he hasn’t “seen a single piece of writing that is responsive to what I’ve requested.”

Talking Points Memo - Cornyn mentioned that if there are not enough votes to confirm Blanche, the vote may be postponed, indicating a potential delay in the confirmation process.

Alternet - Blanche claimed the fund was "dead" and would not be created, but Cornyn referenced the settlement agreement's language that allows for modifications only with written consent from the parties involved.

CNN - Cornyn stated, “I’m not prepared to vote yes. Let me put it that way,” indicating his stance on Blanche's nomination.

ABC News - Cornyn stated that he sent a red line strikeout of what he needed from the DOJ, emphasizing the urgency of the request.

Talking Points Memo - Cornyn indicated that he has been clear about what he wants from the DOJ, stating, “They know what they need to do,” in reference to the settlement agreement modifications.

Alternet - Cornyn stated, “Hopefully they now recognize the seriousness of this,” regarding the lack of response from the Justice Department about the slush fund.

CNN - Cornyn told reporters, “They just don’t want to do it,” referencing the Justice Department's failure to meet his demands.

ABC News - Cornyn expressed frustration, saying, “There’s no real need to have a meeting if they will just produce the documentation that we’ve requested.”

CNBC - Cornyn indicated that the DOJ had provided a draft order rescinding the $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” but it did not address the audit portion of the settlement.

Alternet - Cornyn stated, “I haven’t seen a single piece of writing that is responsive to what I’ve requested,” regarding the Justice Department's response to his demands.

ABC News US - The planned vote to advance Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general appears in doubt due to ongoing concerns from Cornyn and Tillis.

Alternet - Cornyn stated, “Maybe they think I’m just going to give up or, you know, go along, but they’re mistaken,” regarding his demands for clarity on the "slush fund."

CNN - Cornyn told reporters, “I’m not prepared to vote yes. Let me put it that way,” indicating his stance on Blanche's nomination.

CNN - A DOJ official claimed they provided a written proposal to Cornyn’s staff, but Cornyn stated he hasn’t “seen a single piece of writing that is responsive to what I’ve requested.”

Talking Points Memo - Cornyn mentioned that if there are not enough votes to confirm Blanche, the vote may be postponed, indicating a potential delay in the confirmation process.

Alternet - Cornyn stated, “Hopefully they now recognize the seriousness of this,” regarding the lack of response from the Justice Department about the slush fund.

CNN - Cornyn expressed he is “not prepared to vote yes” on Blanche’s nomination due to insufficient written commitments from the Justice Department.

CNN - A DOJ official claimed they provided a written proposal to Cornyn’s staff, but Cornyn stated he hasn’t “seen a single piece of writing that is responsive to what I’ve requested.”

Alternet - Sen. Cornyn canceled his meeting with Todd Blanche due to a lack of information from the Justice Department regarding the "slush fund."

Alternet - The "Anti-Weaponization Fund" is valued at nearly $1.8 billion and could provide restitution to individuals wronged by the DOJ, including those involved in the January 6 Capitol riot.

Talking Points Memo - The confirmation vote for Todd Blanche is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. ET Thursday, but a delay is being discussed.

Talking Points Memo - Cornyn indicated that if there are not enough votes to confirm Blanche, the vote may be postponed.

WHERE:

Alternet - The Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Capitol Building.

Talking Points Memo - Springfield, Ohio, where ICE plans to begin arresting Haitian immigrants.

WHEN:

Alternet - Cornyn must indicate his position on Blanche's nomination by 4 p.m. on Wednesday.

Talking Points Memo - The Senate Judiciary Committee's scheduled vote is set for 9:00 a.m. ET Thursday.

WHY:

IJR - Cornyn and other Republican senators have expressed distrust of Blanche regarding the settlement agreement that shielded Trump from IRS audits.

Talking Points Memo - Cornyn and Tillis have expressed distrust of Blanche regarding the settlement agreement that shielded Trump from IRS audits.

CNBC - Cornyn expressed frustration with the Justice Department, saying, “Maybe they think I’m just going to give up or, you know, go along, but they’re mistaken.”

Talking Points Memo - Cornyn has expressed distrust of Blanche regarding the "Anti-Weaponization Fund" and the settlement agreement that shielded Trump from tax audits.

Talking Points Memo - Cornyn has demanded changes to the settlement agreement in writing to secure his vote, indicating distrust in Blanche regarding the “Anti-Weaponization Fund.”

Alternet - Cornyn's cancellation of the meeting stems from his demand for clarity on the status of the "slush fund" and the settlement agreement related to Trump's IRS lawsuit.

Talking Points Memo - Cornyn and other Republican senators have expressed distrust of Blanche regarding the "Anti-Weaponization Fund" and the settlement agreement that shielded Trump from tax audits.

HOW:

ABC News - Cornyn stated, “There’s no real need to have a meeting if they will just produce the documentation that we’ve requested,” emphasizing the urgency of his request.

ABC News - Cornyn stated that he sent a red line strikeout of what he needed from the DOJ, emphasizing the urgency of the request.

Talking Points Memo - Cornyn indicated that he has been clear about what he wants from the DOJ, stating, “They know what they need to do,” in reference to the settlement agreement modifications.

CNN - Cornyn emphasized that the Justice Department “knows what they need to do,” referencing the need for a written agreement to modify the settlement.

Talking Points Memo - Cornyn has been clear that the Justice Department “knows what they need to do,” referencing the need for a written agreement to modify the settlement.

Alternet - Cornyn questioned Blanche about the legal agreement concerning the IRS and the potential establishment of the fund.

(UPDATED July 30, 2026 00:16 UTC)

Senator John Cornyn expressed frustration over the Justice Department's lack of response regarding a slush fund, stating, “Hopefully they now recognize the seriousness of this.” He emphasized the urgency of his request for documentation, saying, “There’s no real need to have a meeting if they will just produce the documentation that we’ve requested,” while also noting that he hasn't seen any writing that addresses his demands. Additionally, Cornyn mentioned that if there aren't enough votes to confirm Blanche, the vote may be postponed, indicating that Senator Grassley might make that decision.

(UPDATED July 29, 2026 23:17 UTC)

Senator John Cornyn has canceled a meeting with Todd Blanche due to the Justice Department's failure to provide satisfactory documentation regarding the so-called "slush fund." Cornyn criticized the DOJ's inaction, stating, “They just don’t want to do it,” and emphasized the urgency of his request for documentation, noting that without it, there’s no real need for a meeting. He also indicated that if there aren't enough votes to confirm Blanche, the vote may be postponed, adding that Senator Grassley might decide to take that route.

(UPDATED July 29, 2026 21:18 UTC)

Senator Cornyn expressed his frustration with the Justice Department's lack of response regarding the slush fund, stating, “Hopefully they now recognize the seriousness of this.” He also mentioned that the planned vote for Todd Blanche's nomination could be postponed if there aren't enough votes to confirm him, adding, “I’m not prepared to vote yes. Let me put it that way.” Cornyn emphasized the urgency of his requests, noting he sent a red line strikeout to the DOJ and insisted, “They know what they need to do,” in relation to the necessary documentation.

(UPDATED July 29, 2026 20:21 UTC)

Senator Cornyn has voiced his frustration over the Justice Department's lack of response regarding a slush fund, stating, “Hopefully they now recognize the seriousness of this.” He criticized the DOJ for not meeting his demands, saying, “They just don’t want to do it,” and emphasized that a meeting would be unnecessary if they simply provided the requested documentation. Cornyn also noted that while the DOJ had offered a draft order to rescind the $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” it failed to address the audit aspect of the settlement that protects Trump from IRS scrutiny.

(UPDATED July 29, 2026 19:25 UTC)

Senator Cornyn has voiced his frustration with the Justice Department, stating he hasn't seen any response to his requests and emphasizing that they "know what they need to do" regarding settlement agreement modifications. He also expressed concerns that the planned vote for Todd Blanche's nomination as attorney general may be postponed if there aren't enough votes to confirm him, a sentiment echoed by Senator Tillis. Cornyn's comments suggest that the lack of support for Blanche's nomination is putting the vote at risk, as he noted, “If there’s not enough votes to confirm him, then Senator Grassley might decide to postpone it.”

(UPDATED July 29, 2026 18:23 UTC)

Senator Cornyn has made it clear that he is not ready to support Blanche's nomination, stating, “I’m not prepared to vote yes,” and expressing concerns over a lack of clarity regarding the so-called "slush fund." He also mentioned that he has yet to receive any written responses to his requests from the Justice Department, despite their claims to have provided a proposal to his staff. Cornyn indicated that if there aren't enough votes to confirm Blanche, the vote could be postponed, highlighting his distrust related to the "Anti-Weaponization Fund" and the settlement agreement that protected Trump from tax audits.

(UPDATED July 29, 2026 17:26 UTC)

Senator Cornyn has expressed serious concerns about the Justice Department's lack of response regarding the slush fund, stating, “Hopefully they now recognize the seriousness of this.” He also mentioned that he is “not prepared to vote yes” on Blanche’s nomination due to insufficient written commitments from the department, despite a DOJ official claiming they provided a proposal to his staff. Cornyn has made it clear that he requires changes to the settlement agreement in writing to secure his vote, emphasizing that the Justice Department “knows what they need to do.”

(UPDATED July 29, 2026 16:26 UTC)

Senator John Cornyn of Texas has canceled his meeting with Todd Blanche, Trump's candidate for attorney general, due to a lack of clarity from the Justice Department regarding the nearly $1.8 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund," which could provide restitution to individuals affected by the DOJ, including those involved in the January 6 Capitol riot. Cornyn must indicate his position on Blanche's nomination by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, with a confirmation vote scheduled for 9:00 a.m. ET Thursday, although a delay is being discussed if there aren't enough votes to confirm him. The senator has expressed distrust towards Blanche concerning the fund and a settlement agreement related to Trump's IRS lawsuit, questioning the legal implications of the agreement and its potential modifications.