Trump Weighs Delaying Blanche AG Nomination Over Senate Holdouts

Republican senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina have blocked a Senate Judiciary Committee vote on Todd Blanche’s nomination to serve as attorney general. The two lawmakers, both retiring at year’s end, have demanded written assurances that Blanche will not revive a compensation fund tied to a 2025 settlement of President Trump’s IRS lawsuit over the unauthorized release of his tax returns.

The fund, valued at approximately $1.776 billion, was created under that settlement to address claims by individuals prosecuted during the prior administration. Blanche testified during his confirmation hearing that the plan was no longer active, yet he has not submitted a formal written commitment. Cornyn and Tillis have also raised objections to provisions in the same settlement that limit IRS audits of Trump and his family.

President Trump posted on Truth Social that Cornyn had raised no objection to the fund until after Trump endorsed a primary challenger who defeated the senator. Trump described the individuals eligible for compensation as victims of government abuse and stated that the fund would not benefit him personally. He added that he would consider temporarily withdrawing Blanche’s nomination if the senators do not relent, while keeping Blanche in the acting attorney general role.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune has indicated that a resolution could allow the nomination to advance the following week. Blanche previously served as Trump’s personal defense attorney and earned nearly $10 million from a political action committee between March 2023 and December 2024 for that work, according to ABC News reporting cited across multiple outlets.

The Judiciary Committee has received support letters and procedural documents outlining the nomination timeline. No vote has occurred, and the two holdout senators have stated that concerns extend beyond their own offices.