Senate Judiciary Committee approves Todd Blanche as Attorney General

Published Aug 4, 03:02 PM UTC

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved Todd Blanche's nomination as Attorney General in a party-line vote on Tuesday, sending it to the full Senate. The vote was delayed last week after Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis withheld their support until the Justice Department modified a settlement agreement with the IRS, including rescinding a $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponization' fund intended to compensate individuals who felt the DOJ was weaponized against them, including January 6 rioters. Blanche issued orders Sunday stating the fund would not move forward and narrowed the scope of an immunity agreement, though critics argue these orders are legally deficient as the settlement requires written agreement from all parties. Democrats criticized Blanche as operating as the president's personal lawyer. The full Senate vote is expected soon, potentially before the August recess, where Blanche can afford to lose only two Republican votes. Key swing votes include Senators Cassidy, Murkowski, and Collins.