Todd Blanche moved one step closer to becoming the next U.S. attorney general after a Senate committee voted to advance his nomination on Tuesday. The Todd Blanche Nomination Vote followed an agreement that helped secure support from two Republican senators who had previously raised concerns about key issues linked to President Donald Trump.
Blanche, who currently serves as acting attorney general and previously worked as Trump’s personal lawyer, received approval from the Senate Judiciary Committee in a party-line vote. The committee decision now clears the way for a full Senate confirmation vote expected later this week.
The nomination process faced uncertainty in recent days due to questions surrounding a controversial fund and an agreement related to tax audits. Two Republican senators, John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, had delayed support while seeking changes and written assurances from Blanche.
To address those concerns, Blanche announced changes on Sunday. He said he had taken steps to end what has been called the “anti-weaponization” fund. He also narrowed an agreement involving tax audit protections. According to Blanche, the revised arrangement would only apply to past tax returns connected to Trump, his son, and their family business. Future tax returns would still be subject to audits.
The changes were enough to win support from Cornyn and Tillis. Both senators said they were satisfied with the agreement and believed it would provide greater stability within the Justice Department.
During Tuesday’s hearing, Cornyn thanked Blanche for working with lawmakers to reach a solution. He said he expects the Justice Department to honor the agreement moving forward. Cornyn later told reporters that he believes it is unlikely the fund will return, although he acknowledged lawmakers must rely on Blanche’s commitment.
Tillis expressed a similar view. He said the fund should not continue and described its cancellation as an important step. He also argued that political influence has affected the Justice Department under administrations from both major parties.
Despite the agreement, Democrats and outside advocacy groups remain critical. They argue the changes do not provide permanent guarantees. Critics say the fund could potentially be restored in the future through another Justice Department order.
Senator Cory Booker strongly criticized the arrangement during the committee hearing. He questioned whether the agreement provides any real safeguards and argued there is still uncertainty about future accountability measures.
Senator Dick Durbin, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, also voiced concerns. He warned that the fund could be revived after Blanche’s confirmation and called for stronger legal protections to prevent that possibility. Durbin further alleged that statements made during Blanche’s confirmation process deserve closer review, raising the prospect of future investigations if political control of the Senate changes.
The controversy centers on a settlement connected to Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service. That settlement included provisions related to tax audits and a fund valued at approximately $1.8 billion.
Supporters of the fund say it was designed to assist individuals who believe they were unfairly targeted because of their political activities. Critics, however, have described it as a political fund that could benefit Trump allies and others connected to major political disputes.
Questions have also emerged about whether the fund can legally be ended without approval from all parties involved in the original settlement. Critics note that Trump’s private legal team has not publicly confirmed support for the changes announced by Blanche.
An advocacy organization involved in legal action over the fund recently requested that the Justice Department formally declare the program permanently canceled. As of Tuesday, no public response had been announced.
The debate surrounding Blanche’s nomination has become one of the most notable disagreements between Republican senators and Trump during his second term. Cornyn and Tillis delayed the committee vote last week while seeking stronger assurances regarding both the fund and tax audit protections.
While critics continue to question the effectiveness of the agreement, supporters argue that Blanche’s commitments address the main concerns raised by senators. They also point to his experience leading the Justice Department and highlight recent declines in crime statistics during his tenure.
Blanche has also overseen several high-profile matters while serving as acting attorney general, including the release of files connected to Jeffrey Epstein. His supporters say his leadership has brought stability during a period of intense political debate.
With committee approval now secured, the Todd Blanche Nomination Vote moves to the full Senate, where lawmakers will decide whether to confirm him as the nation’s next attorney general.
