Senate Panel Clears Blanche for Attorney General Vote

The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote Tuesday on advancing Todd Blanche, President Trump’s former personal lawyer, to become attorney general. Two Republican senators who had delayed the nomination withdrew their opposition after receiving written confirmation that the Justice Department would terminate a compensation fund tied to an IRS settlement dispute.

The fund originated in a May settlement of a lawsuit Trump and family members filed against the government over the leak of his tax returns. It carried a symbolic $1.776 billion figure and was intended to provide payments to individuals who claimed unfair prosecution. Republican Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina had refused to support Blanche without formal assurance the fund would end, citing concerns it could extend to people involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol events. Blanche issued the order Sunday after negotiations.

Cornyn and Tillis, both retiring in January, stated they were pleased with the formal termination order and would vote to advance the nomination. Blanche had previously served as deputy attorney general after Trump dismissed former Attorney General Pam Bondi in April. The committee vote, if approved, sends the nomination to the full Senate, where Republicans hold 53 seats.

Trump had defended the fund and indicated he would revive it if Blanche’s nomination were blocked. Even with the termination, the Justice Department retains authority to make certain payments through the established Judgment Fund. Hundreds of pardoned January 6 defendants have filed claims, though the government can seek dismissal on timeliness grounds; one such motion was filed Monday. The fund itself never became operational and processed no claims.