Todd Blanche's confirmation as U.S. attorney general has been put on hold as Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas conditions his support on a formal agreement to terminate the Justice Department's "anti-weaponization fund."

The Senate Judiciary Committee was scheduled to vote on advancing Blanche's nomination but delayed the Thursday, July 30th, 2026 hearing after Cornyn, a key committee member, stated he was "not prepared to vote yes" without such an agreement. A committee spokesperson said the hearing was postponed "as work continues to secure sufficient support in committee to favorably report Attorney General-nominee Todd Blanche, who is highly qualified for the job."

Cornyn emphasized the need to confirm in writing what Blanche testified under oath before the Judiciary Committee regarding the weaponization fund, protections from future audits, and which federal agencies are bound by the release. He said, "All I want them to do is to confirm what he said in his sworn testimony before the Judiciary Committee, with regard not only to the weaponization fund, but also who is protected from future audits and what agencies of the federal government are bound by the release."

Thom Tillis of North Carolina, another Judiciary Committee member, expressed shared concerns but appeared optimistic about reaching a resolution.

A Justice Department spokesperson told CBS News that the department "has been in regular communication with Committee members for weeks, and we look forward to continuing to work productively with Senators to address any concerns."

The dispute centers on an agreement the Justice Department made with former President Donald Trump to settle his lawsuit against the IRS, specifically the fate of the so-called "anti-weaponization fund."

Sources