GOP Senators Support Blanche's AG Bid After Fund Withdrawal

WHO:

CBS News Politics - Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis formally announced their support for Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general on Monday.

NY Post - Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) stated, "From the outset, we were clear that we needed a written document addressing our concerns on the IRS audit agreement and the anti-weaponization fund."

NY Post - GOP Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) confirmed their support for Todd Blanche's nomination for Attorney General.

Bloomberg Markets - Todd Blanche is the acting Attorney General and a nominee for the permanent position.

NPR - The Justice Department is involved in the confirmation process and the rescindment of the fund.

WHAT:

NBC News - Todd Blanche established in a formal order that "Beyond any doubt, there is no fund," referring to the rescinded anti-weaponization fund.

Alternet - Cornyn's office confirmed that "Senator Cornyn has reached an agreement with the Department of Justice, which will be issuing a formal order permanently terminating the anti-weaponization fund and making clear in a binding written document that the scope of the audit settlement is limited to only the plaintiffs, including the President, and the IRS."

NPR - Todd Blanche formally rescinded the $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund" created to compensate allies of President Trump and January 6 rioters.

CBS News Politics - Cornyn and Tillis announced their support for Blanche's nomination after the deal to terminate the fund.

Fox News - Blanche's confirmation for Attorney General gained momentum after the agreement to eliminate the fund.

WHERE:

NPR - The Senate Judiciary Committee is the body involved in the confirmation process for Todd Blanche.

WHEN:

NPR - The Senate Judiciary Committee had planned to vote on Blanche's nomination last week but delayed it to a future date to resolve issues regarding the fund.

WHY:

NPR - Cornyn and Tillis expressed that they were pleased with the Department of Justice's formal order terminating the anti-weaponization fund and acknowledged that the audit settlement is limited to the plaintiffs and does not extend beyond the defendants in the lawsuit.

NPR - Cornyn and Tillis expressed gratitude to Blanche for addressing their concerns, stating they "look forward to voting to advance his nomination out of the Senate Judiciary Committee soon."

NPR - Cornyn and Tillis required written assurances that the "anti-weaponization fund" was terminated to support Blanche's nomination.

Alternet - The fund was seen as politically damaging ahead of upcoming elections, prompting Republican senators to demand its termination.

HOW:

ABC News - Todd Blanche issued a formal order terminating the $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund designed to compensate his political allies.

NPR - Blanche issued a formal order stating that no members were appointed to direct the fund, no funds were transferred, and no claims were paid in connection with the fund.

Bloomberg Markets - The deal with GOP senators involved formally rescinding the order creating the fund, which was a key step in advancing Blanche's nomination.

(UPDATED August 3, 2026 23:59 UTC)

Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis have officially announced their support for Todd Blanche's nomination as attorney general. In a formal order, Blanche confirmed that there is no existing fund, referring to the recently rescinded $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund, which was intended to compensate his political allies. Cornyn and Tillis expressed their satisfaction with the Department of Justice's decision to terminate this fund and noted that the audit settlement is limited to the plaintiffs involved in the lawsuit.

(UPDATED August 3, 2026 18:36 UTC)

Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis emphasized the importance of having a written document to address their concerns regarding the IRS audit agreement and the anti-weaponization fund. Cornyn's office confirmed that he has reached an agreement with the Department of Justice, which will permanently terminate the anti-weaponization fund and clarify that the audit settlement only applies to the plaintiffs, including Trump, and the IRS. Both senators expressed their gratitude to Blanche for addressing their concerns and are eager to vote to advance his nomination out of the Senate Judiciary Committee soon.

(UPDATED August 3, 2026 16:19 UTC)

GOP Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis have confirmed their support for Todd Blanche's nomination as Attorney General, which is gaining momentum following the termination of a controversial fund. Blanche, the acting Attorney General, has formally rescinded the $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund" that was intended to compensate allies of Trump and January 6 rioters. The Senate Judiciary Committee, responsible for the confirmation process, had initially planned to vote on Blanche's nomination last week but postponed it to address issues surrounding the fund. Cornyn and Tillis required written assurances that the fund was terminated to back Blanche's nomination, as it was viewed as politically damaging ahead of upcoming elections. In a formal order, Blanche stated that no members were appointed to direct the fund, no funds were transferred, and no claims were paid, which was crucial for advancing his nomination.