Key GOP senators exit as Trump reshapes Republican Senate ranks
Two key Senate Republicans—Tillis and Cornyn—are exiting, reshaping GOP Senate composition.
Event / Politics
Trump Administration Confirmations
Confirmation battles for Trump administration cabinet and judicial nominees, including attorney general nomination.
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2026-08-14 to 2026-11-11 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 16 Jul, 01:01 UTC
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What happened
Todd Blanche serving as acting attorney general since April
Todd Blanche became acting attorney general in April after President Trump fired Pam Bondi. If his nomination is rejected, he may remain in the acting role for up to 210 days under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act.
Senator Cornyn demands written commitments on anti-weaponization fund and tax immunity deal
Senator John Cornyn is demanding that the Department of Justice put in writing that the $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund is officially dead and that the scope of President Trump's immunity deal with the IRS be narrowed. Cornyn is using his vote as leverage to extract these concessions from the White House before voting on Blanche's nomination.
Cornyn and Tillis oppose Blanche over anti-weaponization fund and tax settlement concerns
Senators Cornyn and Tillis have voiced opposition to Blanche's nomination over his support for Trump's anti-weaponization fund intended to pay Trump supporters, including those involved in the January 6 Capitol breach. They also expressed concern about a settlement Trump reached that shields him and his family from government action over their taxes.
Thom Tillis announces retirement from Senate
Senator Thom Tillis announced he will not seek re-election, with reports indicating the timing followed public criticism from President Trump over his vote on a legislative matter.
John Cornyn loses Republican primary to Ken Paxton
Senator John Cornyn lost his Republican primary election in May to former Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, after Trump refused to endorse Cornyn.
Trump floats temporarily withdrawing Todd Blanche's attorney general nomination
President Donald Trump posted on social media that he would consider withdrawing Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general temporarily if Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis do not vote for confirmation, with the option to resubmit the nomination after they leave office.
Senate Judiciary Committee postpones vote on Blanche attorney general nomination
The Senate Judiciary Committee postponed its scheduled Thursday vote on Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general due to ongoing negotiations and complications in the confirmation process.
Blanche's nomination overshadowed by controversy over controversial settlement fund
Todd Blanche's early confirmation hearings for attorney general were dominated by concerns about the anti-weaponization fund created as part of Trump's IRS lawsuit settlement. The fund became a central issue in evaluating Blanche's suitability for the position.
Senate Judiciary Committee postpones Todd Blanche attorney general confirmation vote
The Senate Judiciary Committee postponed a scheduled vote on Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general on Thursday. The delay occurred as two Republican senators, John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, withheld support pending written assurances about the scope of a controversial tax settlement and anti-weaponization fund.
Trump threatens to withdraw Blanche nomination until Cornyn and Tillis leave office
President Trump posted on social media that he would temporarily withdraw Todd Blanche's attorney general nomination rather than make concessions to Republican senators Cornyn and Tillis. Trump stated he would keep Blanche as acting attorney general and renominate him after both senators leave office in January. Trump claimed his action had ended both senators' political careers.
Nearly $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund created in Trump IRS settlement
As part of a legal settlement to resolve Trump's IRS lawsuit, the Justice Department created a nearly $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund designed to compensate people who alleged they were wrongfully targeted by the U.S. government. Senate Republicans expressed concerns that the fund would benefit Trump allies and people convicted for assaulting police officers during the January 6 Capitol insurrection.
Republican senators demand written limits on Trump tax immunity deal
Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis demanded written guarantees that the Justice Department would restrict a broad tax immunity agreement negotiated as part of Trump's settlement of his IRS lawsuit over leaked tax returns. The settlement initially included protection from tax audits for Trump, his family, and his businesses. Cornyn set a 4 p.m. Wednesday deadline for written assurances that the controversial anti-weaponization fund would not proceed.
Blanche stated anti-weaponization fund would be discontinued
Todd Blanche previously stated in June that the Trump administration was scrapping the nearly $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund. However, Senate Republicans sought further written confirmation from the Justice Department to ensure the fund would not be revived.
Tillis and Cornyn hold swing votes in Blanche attorney general confirmation
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche must secure the votes of both Republican Senators Thom Tillis of North Carolina and John Cornyn of Texas in the Senate Judiciary Committee to advance his nomination. Tillis's term ends in early January, and Cornyn lost his Senate primary to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Both senators have expressed conditions or concerns about Blanche's confirmation.
Blanche says 'anti-weaponization' fund no longer exists amid bipartisan backlash
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told the Senate Judiciary Committee that the $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponization' fund 'doesn't exist anymore' and is 'dead,' following backlash from both Republicans and Democrats over the fund's establishment as part of the Trump tax settlement. However, the immunity provision for Trump remains intact.
Blanche apologizes for Epstein files release mishandling but claims meeting restriction
During his confirmation hearing, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche acknowledged that 'mistakes were made' in the release of the Epstein files and apologized to survivors whose personal information was not properly redacted. However, Blanche stated he is 'prohibited from meeting directly' with survivors and must communicate through their lawyers instead. He said Justice Department staff are available to meet with survivors.
Sen. Cornyn expresses concern about breadth of Trump tax settlement
Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas expressed concern about the settlement reached between the Justice Department and President Trump, stating that the release signed is 'so broad' and 'extends beyond the parties to the lawsuit' and 'beyond Treasury and the IRS.' Cornyn said Blanche 'leaned in to help the president beyond what was necessary to resolve the case' on the tax matter.
Senate Judiciary Committee composition changes following Graham's death
The Senate Judiciary Committee is now divided between 11 Republicans and 10 Democrats following the unexpected death of GOP Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina on Saturday, shifting the balance for confirmation votes.
Justice Department 'anti-weaponization' fund established in Trump tax lawsuit settlement
The Justice Department reached a settlement with President Trump over a $10 billion civil lawsuit he filed against the Internal Revenue Service in January regarding the leak of his tax returns by a government contractor. As part of the settlement, the Justice Department created a $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponization' fund and granted Trump, his two older sons, and his companies immunity from audits and investigations related to previously filed tax returns.
Epstein survivor's personal information erroneously released in Justice Department documents
Dani Bensky, a survivor of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse, testified that her name and personal information were mistakenly made public in documents related to the federal investigation into Epstein that were released by the Justice Department in December. Her name was among more than 350 survivors' names submitted to the Justice Department for redaction before the files were released, but the redaction was not properly applied.
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2 alternative perspectives
Trump floats withdrawing Blanche nomination as confirmation collapses
Blanche's AG confirmation collapses over Republican demands for tax settlement limits.
Blanche confirmation stalls as Republicans demand tax deal limits
Blanche confirmation stalls over Republican demands for written tax deal limits amid Trump's threat to withdraw the nomination.
Tillis and Cornyn emerge as swing votes in Blanche confirmation battle
Republican swing votes by Tillis and Cornyn hold sway over Blanche's AG confirmation.
Blanche clarifies anti-weaponization fund status amid settlement scrutiny
Blanche says anti-weaponization fund dissolved amid settlement backlash; Cornyn raises scope concerns.
Tillis conditions Blanche confirmation on Epstein survivors meeting
Senator Tillis ties Blanche's AG confirmation to meeting with Epstein survivors.
Epstein victims confront Blanche over DOJ case handling
Epstein victims confronted Blanche at confirmation over DOJ's mishandling of case files.
Trump administration recalibrates foreign and domestic policy priorities
Trump administration recalibrates foreign policy, ICE operations, and supports permanent Daylight Saving Time amid shifting priorities.
DOJ approves merger as twelve states mount legal challenge
DOJ approves entertainment merger; twelve states sue to stop it.
Blanche faces confirmation amid controversial DOJ policy decisions
Blanche's confirmation hearing proceeds amid controversial DOJ policy decisions under scrutiny.