Republican holdouts agree to support Todd Blanche for attorney general

Published August 4, 2026 at 6:02 AM UTC

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Key Points

Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis have agreed to support Todd Blanche's nomination.
The decision follows a written agreement to terminate a $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponization' fund.
The deal also clarifies that tax immunity provisions are limited to specific parties in a lawsuit.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on the nomination this Tuesday.

Background History

Todd Blanche, a former defense attorney for Donald Trump, has been serving as acting attorney general since April 2026. His nomination faced significant scrutiny due to his close ties to the president and a proposed $1.8 billion fund intended to compensate allies of the president, which critics and some lawmakers argued was inappropriate.

Two key Republican senators have agreed to support the nomination of Todd Blanche for U.S. attorney general, clearing a major obstacle for his confirmation. Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who had previously withheld their support, announced their backing on Monday. This shift follows a successful negotiation between the senators and the Department of Justice regarding the future of a controversial $1.8 billion fund.