Republicans Navigate Transition Amid AG Nomination Progress

WHO:

Alternet - Zach Schermele, congressional correspondent for USA Today

AP News - Todd Blanche, acting Attorney General and former personal attorney to Trump

AP News - Republican Senators John Cornyn (Texas) and Thom Tillis (North Carolina)

AP News - Dick Durbin, top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee

AP News - Chuck Grassley, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee

WHAT:

AP News - The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 12-10 along party lines to advance Todd Blanche's nomination for Attorney General.

AP News - Blanche's confirmation was contingent upon a deal with Cornyn and Tillis regarding a $1.8 billion fund related to Trump’s IRS lawsuit.

AP News - Blanche confirmed that "there is no Fund" related to the settlement of Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS.

AP News - The settlement of Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS was described as a $10 billion lawsuit.

Alternet - Schermele noted that pushback against Blanche's nomination is a significant sign of Republican dissent against Trump.

WHERE:

AP News - The Senate Judiciary Committee, Washington D.C.

WHEN:

AP News - The Senate Judiciary Committee vote occurred on a Tuesday.

AP News - The deal between Blanche and the Republican senators was struck late on a Sunday.

WHY:

AP News - Cornyn and Tillis withheld support for Blanche's nomination due to concerns over the IRS settlement and the implications of the Anti-Weaponization Fund.

AP News - Democrats expressed concerns that Blanche's order does not prevent the revival of the fund after his confirmation.

HOW:

AP News - Blanche issued an order confirming the absence of the fund and clarifying the scope of the tax audit immunity agreement.

AP News - The Senate Judiciary Committee's vote was conducted along party lines, indicating a division between Republicans and Democrats on the nomination.

(UPDATED August 4, 2026 15:31 UTC)

The Senate Judiciary Committee has voted 12-10 along party lines to advance Todd Blanche's nomination for Attorney General, with significant pushback indicating Republican dissent against Trump. Blanche's confirmation hinges on a deal with Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis regarding a $1.8 billion fund tied to Trump's IRS lawsuit, which Blanche confirmed does not exist. Concerns were raised by Democrats about the implications of the Anti-Weaponization Fund and the potential for its revival after Blanche's confirmation.