Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche appeared to move a step closer to Senate confirmation on Sunday after withdrawing a disputed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” and tightening language around tax protections tied to President Donald Trump’s IRS settlement.
A spokesperson for Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said an agreement had been reached after Cornyn and Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., delayed Blanche’s nomination over their concerns. The deal may open the door for Cornyn to back Blanche when the Senate Judiciary Committee meets Tuesday. Tillis had not issued a public statement on the agreement by Sunday night.
The Judiciary Committee is set to vote Tuesday, and Blanche will need unified Republican support to overcome unanimous Democratic opposition. A previous committee vote was pushed back after Cornyn and Tillis requested a written assurance from the administration.
Blanche addressed the senators’ demands by formally ending the fund and specifying that the settlement’s tax-related protections are limited to past matters and do not extend to future tax filings.
According to the Justice Department, the fund had never been put into effect. No members were named, no money was transferred, no claims system was created and no payments were issued.
“My team and I have met with committee members and Senators over the past several weeks and addressed any concerns or outstanding questions,” Blanche wrote Sunday in a post on X.
“We have enjoyed good faith discussions, and as a result issue the following order and update with regard to the May IRS settlement. The Department always welcomes and appreciates productive engagement with all members of Congress,” he added.
RELATED: Where Is Amy Bosley Now? Husband Bobby Murder Motive And Parole Update – Is She Still In Prison?
In the order, Blanche rescinded the May 18 directive that created the fund and made clear that the tax provisions in the IRS settlement apply only retroactively, not to any future filings.
Cornyn and Tillis had sought the commitment in writing amid concerns that the fund could be revived, particularly as Trump continued to publicly support the idea. Lawmakers had also raised concerns that people convicted in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot could be eligible for payments.
“Sen. Cornyn has reached an agreement with the Department of Justice, which will be issuing a formal order permanently terminating the anti-weaponization fund and making clear in a binding written document that the scope of the audit settlement is limited to only the plaintiffs, including the President, and the IRS,” Natalie Yezbick, a Cornyn spokesperson, told Politico.
Tillis had not announced whether the agreement was enough to secure his support.
Tills is expected to follow Cornyn in backing Blanche on Tuesday after saying on Saturday, before the agreement was reached, that Trump “clearly intends to resurrect the payout pot for punks either by inappropriately establishing another bogus fund or pushing Congress to vote for a bill that the majority of Republicans in the Senate would be against.”
“It’s unfortunate that Todd Blanche, who I consider qualified for the job, will not be confirmed because of this reversal. Hopefully, we can resolve this by Tuesday,” Tillis said at the time.
Blanche has been serving as acting attorney general since he took over for Pam Bondi in April.
Senate Republicans hope to advance Blanche’s nomination before the end of the week.
