Blanche's AG Nomination Faces Delay Amid DOJ Funding Concerns
WHO:
CBS News - Cornyn stated, "I'm not prepared to vote yes" without an agreement regarding the "anti-weaponization fund."
CBS News - Cornyn noted that he hadn't seen "a single piece of writing that is responsive to what I've requested."
CBS News - A Justice Department official said, "We look forward to further discussion around any outstanding concerns."
CBS News - President Trump suggested that Cornyn's opposition to Blanche's nomination may be due to his endorsement of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who defeated Cornyn in the May primary.
AP News - A person familiar with the matter stated that the Justice Department provided Cornyn’s office with a written proposal seeking to address his concerns around the audit immunity agreement and the fund.
CBS News - GOP Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina expressed more hope for a resolution regarding Todd Blanche's nomination.
CBS News - Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley met with Cornyn and Tillis hours before the vote was canceled.
CBS News - Todd Blanche is the nominee for attorney general and currently serves as acting attorney general.
CBS News - Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas is a pivotal vote on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
AP News - GOP Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina is also a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
AP News - President Trump is involved in the settlement related to his lawsuit against the IRS.
WHAT:
CBS News - The Senate Judiciary Committee announced that the hearing to consider Todd Blanche's nomination was postponed due to ongoing negotiations for sufficient support.
AP News - The Justice Department said in June that it was no longer moving forward with the "Anti-Weaponization Fund" amid bipartisan outrage.
CBS News - Cornyn stated, "Has there been a written agreement of the parties to modify the settlement fund?" regarding the status of the fund.
CBS News - Blanche reiterated that the fund was "dead" during his confirmation hearing earlier this month.
CBS News - Cornyn expressed frustration, stating, "We’re been trying to help them get to a conclusion here and they won’t let us. It’s befuddling to me."
CBS News - Cornyn stated, "All I want them to do is to confirm what he said in his sworn testimony before the Judiciary Committee," regarding the settlement fund and audit protections.
CBS News - Cornyn's opposition could sink Blanche's nomination, as he demands modifications to the Justice Department agreement with Trump regarding tax audit immunity.
AP News - The Justice Department transmitted a new response to Cornyn and Tillis that "addresses their concerns," a source familiar with the matter said later Wednesday.
CBS News - Cornyn has also demanded clarification from the Justice Department on the scope of the tax immunity deal.
AP News - The judge handling the case said in a scathing ruling earlier this month that Trump had effectively engaged in self-dealing through the lawsuit and that she was troubled Blanche had signed the settlement, given his prior representation of Trump.
AP News - Blanche has said he disagrees “with the judge’s insinuations” about him.
CBS News - The Senate Judiciary Committee announced the hearing to consider Todd Blanche's nomination was postponed due to ongoing negotiations for sufficient support.
AP News - The Justice Department transmitted a new response to Cornyn and Tillis that "addresses their concerns" regarding the settlement.
CBS News - Cornyn stated, "Has there been a written agreement of the parties to modify the settlement fund?" regarding the status of the fund.
CBS News - Blanche reiterated that the fund was "dead" during his confirmation hearing earlier this month.
CBS News - The Senate Judiciary Committee announced that the hearing to consider Blanche's nomination was postponed as work continues to secure sufficient support in committee.
AP News - The Justice Department's proposal to Cornyn was described as "not responsive" to some of his concerns.
CBS News - The Senate Judiciary Committee announced the postponement of the hearing to consider Blanche's nomination due to ongoing negotiations.
CBS News - Cornyn stated, "All I want them to do is to confirm what he said in his sworn testimony before the Judiciary Committee," regarding the settlement fund and audit protections.
AP News - The Justice Department's proposal to Cornyn was described as "not responsive" to some of his concerns.
CBS News - Cornyn stated, "I'm not prepared to vote yes" without a written agreement to kill the "anti-weaponization fund."
CBS News - The Justice Department provided a "written proposal" to Cornyn's staff on a Tuesday.
AP News - The settlement of Trump's lawsuit against the IRS included a deal to drop tax claims and a now-scrapped plan for a $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund."
AP News - Cornyn expressed frustration, stating, "We’re been trying to help them get to a conclusion here and they won’t let us. It’s befuddling to me."
CBS News - Todd Blanche's confirmation as attorney general is on hold due to demands from Cornyn.
CBS News - The Senate Judiciary Committee was set to vote on Blanche's nomination but postponed the hearing.
AP News - The planned committee vote on Blanche's nomination was scrapped after negotiations with Republican senators.
AP News - The settlement of Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS included a deal to drop tax claims and a now-scrapped $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund."
CBS News - The Senate Judiciary Committee was set to vote on Todd Blanche's nomination on a Thursday morning, but the vote was postponed due to ongoing negotiations.
AP News - The settlement of Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS included a deal to drop tax claims against the president and a now-scrapped plan for a $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund."
CBS News - Cornyn stated, "Has there been a written agreement of the parties to modify the settlement fund?" regarding the status of the fund.
CBS News - Blanche reiterated that the fund was "dead" during his confirmation hearing earlier this month.
CBS News - Cornyn noted that the settlement states that any changes to it must be agreed upon in writing by all parties involved.
CBS News - Cornyn expressed frustration, stating, "We’re been trying to help them get to a conclusion here and they won’t let us. It’s befuddling to me."
CBS News - Cornyn stated, "All I want them to do is to confirm what he said in his sworn testimony before the Judiciary Committee," regarding the settlement fund and audit protections.
CBS News - Cornyn's opposition could sink Blanche's nomination, as he demands modifications to the Justice Department agreement with Trump regarding tax audit immunity.
AP News - The Justice Department transmitted a new response to Cornyn and Tillis that "addresses their concerns," a source familiar with the matter said later Wednesday.
CBS News - Cornyn has also demanded clarification from the Justice Department on the scope of the tax immunity deal.
AP News - The judge handling the case said in a scathing ruling earlier this month that Trump had effectively engaged in self-dealing through the lawsuit and that she was troubled Blanche had signed the settlement, given his prior representation of Trump.
AP News - Blanche has said he disagrees “with the judge’s insinuations” about him.
CBS News - The Senate Judiciary Committee announced the hearing to consider Todd Blanche's nomination was postponed due to ongoing negotiations for sufficient support.
AP News - The Justice Department transmitted a new response to Cornyn and Tillis that "addresses their concerns" regarding the settlement.
CBS News - The Senate Judiciary Committee announced that the hearing to consider Todd Blanche's nomination was postponed due to ongoing negotiations for sufficient support.
AP News - The Justice Department transmitted a new response to Cornyn and Tillis that "addresses their concerns" regarding the settlement.
CBS News - Cornyn stated, "Has there been a written agreement of the parties to modify the settlement fund?" regarding the status of the fund.
CBS News - Blanche reiterated that the fund was "dead" during his confirmation hearing earlier this month.
CBS News - The Senate Judiciary Committee announced that the hearing to consider Blanche's nomination was postponed as work continues to secure sufficient support in committee.
AP News - The Justice Department's proposal to Cornyn was described as "not responsive" to some of his concerns.
CBS News - The Senate Judiciary Committee announced the postponement of the hearing to consider Blanche's nomination due to ongoing negotiations.
CBS News - Cornyn stated, "All I want them to do is to confirm what he said in his sworn testimony before the Judiciary Committee," regarding the settlement fund and audit protections.
AP News - The Justice Department's proposal to Cornyn was described as "not responsive" to some of his concerns.
CBS News - Cornyn stated, "I'm not prepared to vote yes" without a written agreement to kill the "anti-weaponization fund."
CBS News - The Justice Department provided a "written proposal" to Cornyn's staff on a Tuesday.
AP News - The settlement of Trump's lawsuit against the IRS included a deal to drop tax claims and a now-scrapped plan for a $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund."
AP News - Cornyn expressed frustration, stating, "We’re been trying to help them get to a conclusion here and they won’t let us. It’s befuddling to me."
CBS News - Todd Blanche's confirmation as attorney general is on hold due to demands from Cornyn.
CBS News - The Senate Judiciary Committee was set to vote on Blanche's nomination but postponed the hearing.
AP News - The planned committee vote on Blanche's nomination was scrapped after negotiations with Republican senators.
AP News - The settlement of Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS included a deal to drop tax claims and a now-scrapped $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund."
WHERE:
CBS News - The events are taking place in Washington, D.C.
CBS News - The events are taking place in Washington, D.C.
WHEN:
CBS News - The Senate Judiciary Committee was scheduled to vote on Blanche's nomination on a Thursday.
AP News - The Justice Department announced in June that it would no longer move forward with the "Anti-Weaponization Fund."
CBS News - The Senate Judiciary Committee was scheduled to vote on Blanche's nomination on a Thursday.
AP News - The Justice Department announced in June that it would no longer move forward with the "Anti-Weaponization Fund."
WHY:
CBS News - Cornyn expressed frustration, stating, "We’re been trying to help them get to a conclusion here and they won’t let us. It’s befuddling to me."
AP News - Cornyn has also demanded clarification from the Justice Department on the scope of the tax immunity deal.
CBS News - Cornyn expressed frustration, stating, "We’re been trying to help them get to a conclusion here and they won’t let us. It’s befuddling to me."
CBS News - Cornyn stated, "All I want them to do is to confirm what he said in his sworn testimony before the Judiciary Committee," regarding the settlement fund and audit protections.
CBS News - Cornyn's demands for written agreements stem from his concerns about the scope of the tax audit immunity deal and the status of the "anti-weaponization fund."
CBS News - Cornyn's opposition could sink Blanche's nomination, as he demands modifications to the Justice Department agreement with Trump regarding tax audit immunity.
CBS News - Cornyn is leveraging his vote in exchange for an agreement to formally kill the "anti-weaponization fund."
AP News - Cornyn and Tillis are seeking more assurances from the Justice Department regarding the settlement of Trump's lawsuit.
CBS News - Cornyn expressed frustration, stating, "We’re been trying to help them get to a conclusion here and they won’t let us. It’s befuddling to me."
AP News - Cornyn has also demanded clarification from the Justice Department on the scope of the tax immunity deal.
CBS News - Cornyn expressed frustration, stating, "We’re been trying to help them get to a conclusion here and they won’t let us. It’s befuddling to me."
CBS News - Cornyn stated, "All I want them to do is to confirm what he said in his sworn testimony before the Judiciary Committee," regarding the settlement fund and audit protections.
CBS News - Cornyn's demands for written agreements stem from his concerns about the scope of the tax audit immunity deal and the status of the "anti-weaponization fund."
CBS News - Cornyn's opposition could sink Blanche's nomination, as he demands modifications to the Justice Department agreement with Trump regarding tax audit immunity.
CBS News - Cornyn is leveraging his vote in exchange for an agreement to formally kill the "anti-weaponization fund."
AP News - Cornyn and Tillis are seeking more assurances from the Justice Department regarding the settlement of Trump's lawsuit.
HOW:
CBS News - Cornyn has pressed the administration to clarify that the tax immunity deal only covers existing audits and does not protect Trump from future tax filings.
CBS News - Cornyn has pressed the administration to clarify that the tax immunity deal only covers existing audits and does not protect Trump from future tax filings.
CBS News - Cornyn noted that the settlement states that any changes to it must be agreed upon in writing by all parties involved.
AP News - The Justice Department provided a written proposal to address Cornyn's concerns about the audit immunity agreement and the fund.
AP News - Cornyn has pressed the administration to clarify that the tax immunity deal only covers existing audits and does not protect Trump from future tax filings.
CBS News - Cornyn has demanded modifications to restrict the scope of the Justice Department agreement with Trump regarding tax audit immunity.
AP News - The Justice Department provided a written proposal to address Cornyn's concerns about the audit immunity agreement and the fund.
CBS News - Cornyn has pressed the administration to clarify that the tax immunity deal only covers existing audits and does not protect Trump from future tax filings.
CBS News - Cornyn has pressed the administration to clarify that the tax immunity deal only covers existing audits and does not protect Trump from future tax filings.
CBS News - Cornyn noted that the settlement states that any changes to it must be agreed upon in writing by all parties involved.
AP News - The Justice Department provided a written proposal to address Cornyn's concerns about the audit immunity agreement and the fund.
AP News - Cornyn has pressed the administration to clarify that the tax immunity deal only covers existing audits and does not protect Trump from future tax filings.
CBS News - Cornyn has demanded modifications to restrict the scope of the Justice Department agreement with Trump regarding tax audit immunity.
AP News - The Justice Department provided a written proposal to address Cornyn's concerns about the audit immunity agreement and the fund.
(UPDATED July 30, 2026 17:31 UTC)
The Senate Judiciary Committee has postponed the hearing to consider Todd Blanche's nomination due to ongoing negotiations aimed at securing sufficient support. Senator Cornyn has expressed frustration over the situation, demanding clarity on the settlement fund and tax audit immunity, stating he is "not prepared to vote yes" without a written agreement to eliminate the "Anti-Weaponization Fund." Meanwhile, the Justice Department has sent a new response addressing some of Cornyn's concerns, but it has been described as "not responsive" to all of them.
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(UPDATED July 30, 2026 16:28 UTC)
The Senate Judiciary Committee was scheduled to vote on Todd Blanche's nomination, but that vote has been postponed due to ongoing negotiations. Meanwhile, a settlement of Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS has been reached, which includes dropping tax claims against him and a previously proposed $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" that is now considered "dead." Senator Cornyn has expressed frustration over the lack of written agreements regarding the settlement fund and has indicated that his opposition could jeopardize Blanche's nomination, as he seeks clarification on the tax audit immunity deal from the Justice Department.
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(UPDATED July 30, 2026 15:37 UTC)
The Senate Judiciary Committee has postponed the hearing to consider Todd Blanche's nomination due to ongoing negotiations for sufficient support. Texas Senator John Cornyn expressed his frustration, stating he is not prepared to vote yes without an agreement on the "anti-weaponization fund" and noted he hasn't seen any responsive writing to his requests. Meanwhile, a Justice Department official mentioned they look forward to further discussions to address any outstanding concerns, as Cornyn has pressed for clarification that the tax immunity deal only covers existing audits and does not protect Trump from future tax filings.
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(UPDATED July 30, 2026 12:25 UTC)
The Senate Judiciary Committee has postponed the hearing to consider Todd Blanche's nomination due to ongoing negotiations for sufficient support. Meanwhile, the Justice Department has sent a new response to Senators Cornyn and Tillis that addresses their concerns regarding the settlement, with Cornyn questioning whether there has been a written agreement to modify the settlement fund. Cornyn expressed his frustration, stating that despite their efforts to help reach a conclusion, the process remains unclear, particularly as he seeks clarification that the tax immunity deal only covers existing audits and does not shield Trump from future tax filings.
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(UPDATED July 30, 2026 05:55 UTC)
President Trump suggested that Senator Cornyn's opposition to Blanche's nomination might stem from his endorsement of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who defeated Cornyn in the May primary. Meanwhile, the Senate Judiciary Committee has postponed the hearing to consider Blanche's nomination as they work to secure enough support, while the Justice Department's proposal to address Cornyn's concerns was deemed "not responsive." Cornyn emphasized that he simply wants confirmation of what was stated in sworn testimony regarding the settlement fund and audit protections, noting that any changes to the settlement must be agreed upon in writing by all parties involved.
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(UPDATED July 30, 2026 03:56 UTC)
Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley, along with Senators Cornyn and Tillis, met prior to the cancellation of the hearing to consider Todd Blanche's nomination, which has now been postponed due to ongoing negotiations. Cornyn expressed that he simply wants confirmation of what Blanche stated in his sworn testimony, particularly regarding the settlement fund and audit protections, but he found the Justice Department's proposal to be "not responsive" to his concerns. The Justice Department did attempt to address these issues with a written proposal concerning the audit immunity agreement and the status of the "anti-weaponization fund."
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(UPDATED July 30, 2026 02:51 UTC)
Senator Cornyn has made it clear that he is not ready to support the nomination of Blanche unless there is a written agreement to eliminate the "anti-weaponization fund." His frustration is evident as he stated, "We’ve been trying to help them get to a conclusion here and they won’t let us. It’s befuddling to me," while also pressing the administration for clarification that the tax immunity deal with Trump only applies to existing audits and does not shield him from future tax filings.
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(UPDATED July 30, 2026 01:35 UTC)
Todd Blanche, currently serving as acting attorney general, has been nominated for the position permanently, but his confirmation is on hold due to demands from Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas, who is a key vote on the Senate Judiciary Committee. The committee was set to vote on Blanche's nomination, but that hearing has been postponed as Cornyn seeks more assurances from the Justice Department regarding the settlement of President Trump's lawsuit against the IRS, which includes a deal to drop tax claims and a now-scrapped $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund." In response to Cornyn's concerns, the Justice Department has provided a written proposal aimed at modifying the agreement with Trump to restrict the scope of tax audit immunity.