The Senate Judiciary Committee is poised to vote on Thursday regarding the confirmation of Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to assume the role permanently. However, the outcome remains uncertain due to unresolved concerns from Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas), a pivotal member of the committee.
Senator Cornyn has expressed reservations about the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) handling of a settlement with former President Donald Trump concerning a $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The agreement included provisions that shielded Trump and his family from future tax audits and proposed the creation of a $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” intended to compensate individuals alleging mistreatment by the DOJ. Although the DOJ announced in June that the fund would not proceed, Cornyn is seeking formal written assurances to ensure it cannot be revived in the future. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/b61afbc8fc5d6ab0e7d10cb828cd99cd?utm_source=openai))
In response to these concerns, the DOJ has provided a written proposal aimed at addressing the senator’s demands. Despite this, Cornyn, along with Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), has postponed a scheduled meeting with Blanche, citing the DOJ’s lack of responsiveness. Blanche, who has been serving as acting attorney general since April, has indicated a willingness to support legislation that would permanently eliminate the fund but has resisted committing to a written retraction of the settlement’s provisions. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/b61afbc8fc5d6ab0e7d10cb828cd99cd?utm_source=openai))
Adding to the complexity of Blanche’s confirmation process, more than two dozen accusers of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have urged Senators Cornyn and Tillis to oppose his nomination. The accusers criticized a recent meeting with Blanche as a “box-checking exercise” and expressed dissatisfaction with the DOJ’s handling of the Epstein case, particularly regarding the redaction of victims’ names in released documents. ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/07/21/epstein-accusers-urge-tillis-cornyn-not-confirm-blanche-after-box-checking-meeting/?utm_source=openai))
During his confirmation hearing earlier this month, Blanche faced rigorous questioning from both Democrats and Republicans. He defended his role in the DOJ’s decision to abandon the “Anti-Weaponization Fund” and addressed concerns about his previous work as Trump’s personal attorney. Blanche emphasized his commitment to impartiality, stating, “I’m his lawyer — was his lawyer, and now I’m the deputy attorney general.” ([fortune.com](https://fortune.com/2026/07/15/blanche-im-his-lawyer-confirmation-hearing/?utm_source=openai))
With the committee vote imminent, Senator Cornyn’s stance remains a critical factor. A single Republican dissent could impede Blanche’s confirmation, given the committee’s composition. Cornyn has indicated that he will make his decision when necessary but has not committed to a timeline. ([notus.org](https://www.notus.org/senate/john-cornyn-todd-blanche-confirmation?utm_source=openai))
The situation underscores the delicate balance between political loyalty and the imperative for an independent judiciary, as the Senate grapples with the implications of confirming a nominee with close ties to the president and contentious policy decisions.