Senate Judiciary Committee: Republicans Cornyn and Tillis undecided on Todd Blanche AG nomination

Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee pressed attorney general nominee Todd Blanche—President Trump's former lawyer—on a range of controversies during Wednesday's hearing. They emerged even more convinced that he is unfit to lead the Justice Department. The question remains whether any Republican colleagues will reach the same conclusion.

Democratic Concerns

Senator Richard Blumenthal, a committee member, expressed alarm at Blanche's responses to questions about Trump's "anti-weaponization" fund and the president's self-dealing with the IRS.

"He hewed to the standard line and showed that he's really Donald Trump's henchman, his mob consigliere, and will enable and promote the lawbreaking that we've seen by Donald Trump," Blumenthal said.

Blumenthal acknowledged "there's a chance" Republicans might defect and vote against Blanche, but added: "I am certainly not optimistic because, looking at history, they have failed to stand up when it counted, even in the face of lawbreaking."

Assuming every Democrat on the committee opposes Blanche—who currently serves as acting attorney general—he will need every Republican vote to advance to a confirmation vote in the full Senate. His two-vote cushion was reduced to one following Senator Lindsey Graham's sudden death.

Senator Cory Booker, another Democrat on the committee, criticized Blanche's responses regarding the government investigation into the late sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein.

"It was outrageous how many times he didn't even tell the truth," Booker said. "Even just about the fact that he said [he] can't meet with the victims of Epstein."

Key Hearing Moments

During the hearing, ranking member Dick Durbin pressed Blanche to commit to meeting with Epstein's victims, ten of whom were present. Blanche said he would ensure colleagues meet with the victims but did not commit to doing so himself.

"You're dancing on the head of a pin here," Durbin said.

"I'm not dancing on any pin," Blanche responded.

In another tense exchange, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse questioned Blanche about FBI Director Kash Patel.

"How long do you intend to put up with that Kash Patel character?" Whitehouse asked, listing some of Patel's alleged misdeeds.

"That's an extraordinarily obnoxious question, senator," Blanche responded.

Republican Positions

Perhaps most significant was GOP Senator John Cornyn's line of questioning. Both Cornyn and Senator Thom Tillis—also a Republican—are leaving the Senate in January. Tillis is retiring, while Cornyn lost his primary to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, whom Trump endorsed. In recent months, the two senators have developed independent streaks, though it remains uncertain whether they will break with the party on this vote. (A Spectrum News reporter indicated Tillis is leaning toward "yes.")

Cornyn questioned Blanche about the anti-weaponization fund and secured confirmation that it is "dead." However, Blanche noted that the underlying settlement agreement between Trump and the IRS, which created the fund, remains an "enforceable document."

"His claim that the weaponization fund is a dead doornail is not a characterization that I agree with," Cornyn said later in the day.

Cornyn remains undecided on his vote for Blanche. "I'm not going to make that decision until I need to," he said.

Democratic Outlook

Though Senate Democrats said they are unsure where their Republican colleagues will land on Blanche, they see cracks forming.

"You didn't see defections of any significance at the beginning of the Trump term, but you're starting to see [them now]," Senator Tim Kaine said.

Related: Israel Aid Amendment Divides House Democrats

A legislative amendment that would block U.S. security aid to Israel has split Democrats in Congress to such an extent that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has decided not to urge his party to oppose it. Instead, he told Democrats to vote their conscience, setting up an opportunity for lawmakers to go on the record about their views. Some are already doing so.

"The Democratic Party as a whole needs to shift its policy on Israel and Palestine," Representative Greg Casar, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said. "I think that was clear during the last presidential election. I think it's clear to me as a moral issue. And I think that [Wednesday's] vote could be one step towards us beginning to shift our position as a party."