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2h ago

Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Todd Blanche After He Rescinds Trump Anti-Weaponization Fund

The committee sent his nomination to the full Senate despite questions about whether his written orders can legally end the fund.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 15: Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche gets sworn in at his confirmation hearing in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill July 15, 2026 in Washington, DC. During Blanche's tenure as acting Attorney General the Justice Department has been under scrutiny for pushing President Trump's 1.8 billion dollar "anti-weaponization" fund and its handling of the Epstein files. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
FILE - Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche speaks during a news conference on unaccompanied children at the Justice Department, June 11, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)
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Overview

  • The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 12-10 along party lines to advance Todd Blanche’s nomination to the full Senate, with all Republicans supporting him and all Democrats opposing him.
  • Republican Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis agreed to back Blanche after he issued written orders that rescinded the roughly $1.7–$1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund and narrowed language in the IRS settlement.
  • Legal experts and Democratic senators say Blanche’s unilateral orders may be legally fragile because the underlying settlement can only be changed with the written agreement of the lawsuit parties, leaving the fund vulnerable to revival or court challenge.
  • Blanche’s record as President Trump’s former personal lawyer and his role in controversial DOJ actions — including the handling of Epstein-related records and prosecutions of Trump critics — fueled Democratic attacks during the confirmation process.
  • The nomination now goes to the full Senate where Blanche can only afford to lose a small number of Republican votes, and a floor fight could prompt prolonged legal and congressional battles over DOJ independence and oversight.