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Todd Blanche Attorney General Confirmation
Todd Blanche, Trump's former personal lawyer, advances through Senate confirmation process as Attorney General with deals addressing Republican demands on IRS settlement and tax audit immunity, while Democrats raise enforceability concerns.
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2026-08-13 to 2026-11-10 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 1 Aug, 02:48 UTC
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What happened
Senate Judiciary Committee votes to advance Todd Blanche's attorney general nomination
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, to advance acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's nomination to permanently lead the Department of Justice to the full Senate for a final confirmation vote. The vote proceeded on a party-line basis after Blanche reached a deal with two holdout Republican senators.
Joseph diGenova appointed to oversee investigation into former officials
Todd Blanche appointed 81-year-old Joseph diGenova, a former Justice Department prosecutor from the Reagan administration, to oversee a Florida-based investigation into whether former law enforcement and intelligence officials conspired over the last decade to undermine President Trump.
Blanche and DOJ clarify Trump tax immunity applies only to past returns
The Justice Department clarified in writing that the tax audit immunity agreement stemming from Trump's settlement with the IRS applies only to claims open at the time of the settlement and does not protect Trump from examination of future tax filings. The immunity covers only the parties that brought the lawsuit: Trump, two of his sons, and the Trump Organization.
Democrats question legality of weaponization fund deal
Senate Democrats, including top Judiciary Committee Democrat Dick Durbin, criticized the agreement between Blanche and Republican senators, arguing the order does not prevent Trump from reviving the fund after confirmation. Democrats noted that Trump's personal lawyers did not sign off on Blanche's order, even though the original settlement requires approval from all parties for changes, and pointed out that Trump has publicly expressed enthusiasm for the payouts.
Republican senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis reach deal with DOJ on Blanche confirmation
Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who had threatened to block Todd Blanche's confirmation as attorney general, reached a deal with the Justice Department in late negotiations. The deal addressed their demands for written assurances about the settlement of Trump's lawsuit against the IRS, including confirmation that the $1.8 billion weaponization fund was not operational and clarification on tax audit immunity provisions.
Todd Blanche issues order ending Trump's weaponization fund
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche issued an order on Sunday evening, August 2, 2026, confirming that the $1.8 billion fund created to compensate Trump allies who believed they were prosecuted for political purposes was ended. The order stated that no members were appointed, no funds were transferred, no claims process was established, and no claims were paid.
Todd Blanche elevated to acting attorney general following Pam Bondi's departure
Todd Blanche, who had served as deputy attorney general, was elevated to the position of acting attorney general following Attorney General Pam Bondi's departure from the Trump administration in April 2026.
Justice Department moves to indict former FBI Director James Comey
Under Todd Blanche's leadership, the Justice Department moved to indict former FBI Director James Comey on charges of threatening President Trump by posting a social media photograph of seashells in the numerical arrangement of '86 47'. Comey's lawyers have accused the Justice Department of misleading judges and submitting documents containing false statements.
Trump expressed continued support for the anti-weaponization fund despite negotiations
During weeks of negotiations over the fund's termination, President Trump repeatedly expressed support for the anti-weaponization fund, stating he believed it should move forward. On Sunday evening, Trump said that people charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol attack had their lives destroyed and that the fund would be a reimbursement for their suffering. Trump had threatened to move forward with the fund if Blanche was not confirmed.
Tax audit immunity agreement limited to retroactive claims only
The order clarifies that the tax audit immunity agreement provided to President Trump and his family applies only retroactively to claims open at the time of the IRS lawsuit settlement. The immunity does not protect the president from examination of future tax filings, narrowing the scope of protections compared to the original settlement agreement.
Two Republican senators confirm agreement after weeks of negotiations over Blanche's nomination
Texas Senator John Cornyn and North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis, both members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, had been blocking Todd Blanche's nomination to become attorney general. After weeks of negotiations, Cornyn's office confirmed an agreement regarding the anti-weaponization fund. The two senators had demanded the administration formally terminate the fund in writing before they would support Blanche's nomination.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche formally rescinds Trump's $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a formal order late Sunday terminating President Donald Trump's $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund, which was intended to compensate political allies. The order officially rescinds the May 18, 2026 Order establishing the fund. The Justice Department confirmed that no members were appointed, no funds were transferred, no claims process was established, and no claims were paid before the fund's termination.
Senate Judiciary Committee scheduled to vote on Blanche's attorney general nomination on Tuesday
The Senate Judiciary Committee scheduled a confirmation vote on Todd Blanche's nomination to become attorney general for Tuesday, following the formal termination of the anti-weaponization fund. The vote had been previously postponed after Cornyn and Tillis indicated they needed additional commitments from the administration.
Trump previously threatened to withdraw and resubmit Blanche nomination after Cornyn and Tillis leave office
Earlier in the week, President Trump threatened to withdraw Todd Blanche's attorney general nomination entirely and resubmit it after Cornyn and Tillis left the Senate if they continued blocking confirmation. Trump suggested this could happen in approximately 158 days, after the senators departed Congress.
Cornyn and Tillis demand written assurances on Anti-Weaponization Fund before supporting Blanche
Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis conditioned their support for Todd Blanche's attorney general nomination on the Trump administration providing written assurances that the Justice Department would not restore or use the $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund. The senators raised concerns about how the money could be administered and sought stronger safeguards before supporting Blanche's confirmation.
Trump links Todd Blanche attorney general nomination to Anti-Weaponization Fund legislation
Trump connected his threat to keep Blanche as acting attorney general to a push to pass the Anti-Weaponization Bill, which would establish a $1.8 billion congressionally authorized compensation fund for alleged victims of political persecution during the Biden administration. Trump stated the bill would be "immediately back on the table" if Cornyn and Tillis continued opposing Blanche's confirmation.
Blanche testifies fund 'never started' and 'no money' transferred
At his confirmation hearing, Todd Blanche testified that the Anti-Weaponization Fund was "dead" and stated that the settlement fund "is just not moving forward." Blanche added that there was "no modification" to the fund, "It never started. No money went from the Treasury to any other account."
Senate Judiciary Committee postpones vote on Blanche nomination
The Senate Judiciary Committee postponed its scheduled vote on Todd Blanche's attorney general nomination on Wednesday night due to objections from Senators Cornyn and Tillis. The committee was expected to consider the nomination again the following week.
Trump threatens to keep Blanche as acting attorney general if confirmation is blocked
President Donald Trump threatened to keep Todd Blanche as acting attorney general indefinitely if Republican senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis continue to block his nomination for the permanent position. Trump made the threat in a Truth Social post on Saturday, stating he would keep Blanche in the acting role while pushing Congress to pass the Anti-Weaponization Bill.
Anti-Weaponization Fund stems from IRS settlement agreement
The $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund was created through a settlement agreement that stemmed from a lawsuit Trump filed against the IRS. The settlement also included a provision making Trump and several family members immune from IRS audits, another provision that Cornyn and Tillis have raised concerns about.
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2 alternative perspectives
Blanche dismantles anti-weaponization fund after assuming attorney general role
Acting AG Blanche dismantles anti-weaponization fund after assuming office.
Senate panel advances Blanche after GOP deal on tax immunity limits
Senate panel advances Blanche after GOP senators secure tax immunity limits and weaponization fund deal.
Blanche formally rescinds Trump's $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund
Blanche formally rescinds anti-weaponization fund despite Trump's continued stated support.
Republican senators reach agreement on Blanche nomination after weeks of talks
Republican senators reach agreement on Blanche nomination; Judiciary Committee votes Tuesday.
Blanche's legal defense of Trump shaped path to attorney general
Blanche defended Trump as trial attorney, shaping his path to attorney general nomination.
Federal judge blocks anti-weaponization fund indefinitely
Federal court blocks anti-weaponization fund indefinitely as senator criticizes Trump's revival effort.
Trump primary challenges reshape Republican Senate landscape
Trump primary challenges ousted or pressured two Republican senators opposed to Blanche's nomination.
Trump threatens acting AG role as Blanche confirmation faces standoff
Trump escalates Blanche standoff by threatening acting AG role if Senate blocks confirmation.
Court blocks anti-weaponization fund; Blanche confirms it's dead
Federal court blocks Trump's $1.8B anti-weaponization fund; Blanche confirms it's dead.
Blanche confirmation stalls as Republicans raise settlement concerns
Blanche attorney general confirmation stalled over settlement concerns and Republican opposition.