On Tuesday, August 4th, 2026, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 12-10 along party lines to advance Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general to the Senate floor, marking a significant step for President Trump's choice to lead the Justice Department.

Blanche secured support from Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina after addressing concerns related to a $1.8 billion fund designed to compensate victims of alleged government "weaponization." Following weeks of negotiations, Blanche issued a new order rescinding his initial directive that created the "anti-weaponization" fund and clarified that immunity provisions would only cover potential audits of previous years' tax returns and apply to specific individuals.

Despite Blanche's assurances that the fund is "dead" and "doesn't exist anymore," questions remain about the possibility of its revival. The fund's enforceability is uncertain as key parties, including President Trump's two oldest sons and the Trump Organization, have not signed the agreement. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois warned that the fund could be reinstated shortly after Blanche's confirmation.

Durbin, the top Democrat on the Judiciary panel, criticized Blanche, stating he "has no business" leading the Justice Department and accused him of reshaping the department by replacing longtime officials with "unqualified MAGA loyalists who will rubber-stamp President Trump's misconduct."

A group opposing Blanche's nomination urged Senators Cornyn and Tillis to vote against him, citing Blanche's lack of remorse over the release of materials exposing survivors' identities and his apparent unwillingness to pursue further accountability beyond Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

Cornyn and Tillis defended their support for Blanche during the hearing, emphasizing the commitments secured from the Justice Department and the formal order ending the fund, which addressed concerns from GOP colleagues.

Sources