Senate Panel Clears Blanche for Attorney General Vote

Senate Republicans are moving forward with Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general after two outgoing GOP senators secured a formal termination of the so-called anti-weaponization fund. The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on the nomination Tuesday morning following days of negotiations that resolved concerns over the fund's potential scope.

Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina had delayed the process last week, demanding written assurances that the Department of Justice would not proceed with payments to individuals who believe they were targeted in prior federal cases. Blanche issued the required order late Sunday, prompting the senators to release a joint statement expressing satisfaction with the outcome and signaling their intent to support advancement out of committee.

The fund originated in May as an effort by the Trump administration to provide compensation for what officials described as unfair prosecutions under previous leadership. Critics raised alarms that it could extend to those involved in the January 6 Capitol events, some of whom received presidential pardons on Trump's first day back in office. Trump himself defended the concept publicly and indicated he would consider reviving it if Blanche's path to confirmation were blocked.

Blanche, who represented Trump during the former president's New York hush money trial, was confirmed as deputy attorney general last year. His elevation to the top post follows the April dismissal of Pam Bondi, with reports indicating the president sought an attorney general more willing to pursue accountability for perceived abuses within the Justice Department.

The two senators, both retiring in January, had pressed for clarity to prevent any misuse of taxpayer resources. Their statement Monday noted gratitude for Blanche's cooperation and confirmed they would back the nomination's progress. With Republican control of the Senate at 53 seats, the committee vote is expected to clear the way for full chamber consideration.

This development underscores ongoing tensions within the party over how aggressively to address institutional practices at the Justice Department. Blanche has maintained that the fund's termination aligns with commitments to reform without creating new avenues for claims from those convicted of violence. Lawmakers involved described the agreement as a necessary step to restore confidence in the department's direction.

Further details on the order's implementation remain limited, though the White House has signaled support for Blanche's leadership in steering the agency away from past patterns of selective enforcement. The full Senate could take up the nomination in the coming weeks as part of broader efforts to install Trump-aligned officials across key posts.