Experts Flag 'Big Problems' in Blanche AG Confirmation Deal.
Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis said Monday they will support Todd Blanche's attorney general nomination after the DOJ formally ended its anti-weaponization fund.
- $1.8 billion fund, tied to Trump's IRS settlement, is now rescinded.
- DOJ's written order limits the IRS audit settlement to original lawsuit parties only.
- Senate Judiciary Committee vote is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 4.
- Republicans hold a 12-10 majority on the committee.
Why it matters: The anti-weaponization fund drew bipartisan concern. Critics in Congress worried taxpayer money could flow to Trump supporters convicted of assaulting police on Jan. 6, 2021.
- A Florida federal judge ruled July 13 the settlement was essentially self-dealing and barred the Trumps from using it in official proceedings.
How 25 sources split on this story
Where they split: The disagreement is over whether the fund and IRS deal represented improper self-dealing by Trump or a legitimate remedy for government overreach against him.
Center coverage, 3 sources: The center frames the deal as clearing a significant obstacle while noting ongoing court challenges to the underlying IRS settlement.
Left coverage, 8 sources: The left frames the resolution as a last-minute capitulation that still leaves unanswered questions about the IRS settlement's legality and scope.
Political Wire11hCornyn and Tillis Confirm They Will Vote for Blanche
AlterNet7hEven conservative legal experts call Senate deal with Blanche 'inexcusable'
Raw Story2h'Big problems' in confirmation deal Blanche brokered with GOP flagged by expertsDKDaily Kos5hLooks like Trump will get Todd Blanche after all
MSNBC3hHow Cornyn and Tillis’ deal on Todd Blanche falls short of their demandsNYMNew York Magazine3hDid Todd Blanche Actually Kill Trump’s Slush Fund?
The Guardian5hRepublican holdouts say they will back Todd Blanche for attorney general
Vox1hThe Republican resistance to Todd Blanche was never seriousRight coverage, 14 sources: The right frames the deal as a win for Blanche and the DOJ, crediting the senators for extracting concrete, legally binding written commitments.
The Daily Wire23hKey GOP Holdouts Agree To Back Todd Blanche For Attorney General
The Daily Signal5hBlanche Strikes Deal with GOP Senators for Confirmation Vote
The Epoch Times23hSens. Cornyn, Tillis Announce Support for Blanche as Attorney General
Fox News8hTrump's AG pick off life support after key Republican rebels relent
Just the News7hCornyn, Tillis confirms plans to back Blanche, essentially clinching nominationLILegal Insurrection7hCornyn, Tillis Will Vote to Advance Blanche’s Nomination for Attorney General
New York Post7hGOP Sens. Cornyn, Tillis confirm they'll back Todd Blanche for AG after he scraps Trump 'anti-weaponization' fund
One America News2dOutgoing GOP Senators Cornyn and Tillis stall Blanche’s AG confirmation
PJ Media10hCornyn and Tillis Will Support Blanche for Attorney General, but Only at Cost of Key Fund
RedState14hTodd Blanche Just Nuked John Cornyn's Favorite Excuse for Blocking Him
The Daily Caller7hTodd Blanche Reaches Deal With GOP Holdouts, Paves Way For Confirmation Vote
The Post Millennial7hBREAKING: Hold-out GOP Sens Cornyn, Tillis will confirm Todd Blanche as AGWhat’s next: The Trumps filed an appeal of the Florida federal court ruling on July 31.
- Trump warned Sunday he would restore the fund if Blanche is not confirmed.
- Whether the court rulings against the IRS settlement will constrain the DOJ's private dealings with Trump going forward remains unresolved.
- Whether the full Senate will confirm Blanche this week is not yet certain.