Todd Blanche Clears Judiciary Committee Hurdle for Attorney General Nomination
Todd Blanche has successfully advanced through the Senate Judiciary Committee, positioning him for a final confirmation vote as the next attorney general. The acting attorney general, a former personal lawyer of President Trump, secured the necessary votes by striking a deal with Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis to formally rescind a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund" intended to benefit political allies. While the fund is dead, a controversial settlement providing audit immunity for President Trump, his sons, and the Trump Organization remains in place. This agreement was essential to appease holdout Republicans who were concerned about the scope of the IRS settlement. The administration announced that the fund is officially rescinded, though some Democrats expressed concern that the administration might still revive it in the future. Blanche also demonstrated his commitment to the administration's agenda by pursuing criminal actions against political foes and prioritizing investigations into fraud and immigration enforcement. He also made efforts to ingratiate himself with Senator Lisa Murkowski by visiting Alaska and securing a regional settlement. The Senate will now move toward a final floor vote on his nomination.
Sources
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House committee launches investigation into Republican lawmaker amid domestic abuse allegations – live
The Guardian
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Still some drama left in Todd Blanche’s confirmation fight
Politico
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As Blanche’s path to confirmation is cleared, Trump’s tax audit immunity remains in place
apnews.com
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Todd Blanche advances toward confirmation, paving way for reenergized Justice Department investigations
CNN