Trump's DOJ boss Todd Blanche's nomination is on the brink as Republican deciding his fate declares 'no deal'

By BREANNE DEPPISCH, US SENIOR POLITICAL REPORTER Published: 00:14, 29 July 2026 | Updated: 00:16, 29 July 2026 Trump ally-turned-foe Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas is threatening to hold up the nomination of his hand picked nominee to lead the Justice Department - Todd Blanche. Cornyn, who holds an outsized amount of power on the Senate Judiciary Committee,  has been negotiating with DOJ on changing a Blanche-brokered IRS settlement - but the talks do not appear to be making much progress.  'They’ve been kind of radio silent for the last 24 hours,' Cornyn said of DOJ, adding that 'they know what they need to do, but they just don't want to do it.' The foreboding remarks could keep Blanche's confirmation on ice, at least for now. Cornyn had demanded that the Justice Department provide him written assurance that Trump's widely criticized $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponization fund' for his allies is dead. Doing so, he has maintained, is crucial to securing his confirmation vote. The anti-weaponization fund would have paid out so-called victims of 'lawfare' by the Justice Department under previous administrations, including January 6 rioters and Trump's political allies.  Amid fierce backlash from Democrats and Republicans, Trump's DOJ decided to drop it. But Blanche's assurances that the fund is 'effectively dead' failed to assuage Cornyn during his confirmation hearing earlier this month. Cornyn has repeatedly stressed the importance of modifying the agreement in writing to prevent it from being revived.  He's also the only Republican on the panel holding out possible support for Blanche.  Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas boards an elevator at the US Capitol in Washington, DC.  Cornyn questions Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche during his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee Blanche is seen before his confirmation hearing Senator John Cornyn of Texas presses Blanche over the specifics of an IRS settlement and anti-weaponization fund  Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling and Acting Attorney General Blanche arrive at the US Capitol to pay tribute to the late Senator Lindsey Graham Cornyn's retiring colleague, Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, has still not firmly committed to voting to advance the acting attorney general - leaving his confirmation in peril at the eleventh hour. 'Fake news alert: there is no ‘deal’ on Blanche nom,' Cornyn said on social media Tuesday, in response to rumors that his office and the Justice Department were making progress on the issue.  'They know what they have to do,' Cornyn added.  Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley could postpone the vote if he feels there is not enough support to advance Blanche's confirmation out of committee, though it is not yet clear whether he will do so. Cornyn pressed Blanche earlier this month about the IRS settlement and so-called 'anti-weaponization fund' at issue, and has made clear he would need certain assurances from DOJ, such as a written modification mooting the settlement, to secure his 'yes' vote. Blanche tried and failed to assuage Cornyn's concerns while testifying earlier this month. He stressed then that the fund is ‘just not moving forward.'  ‘There's no modification,' Blanche said. 'It just never started.' Cornyn seemed unconvinced - and as of Tuesday evening, it appeared his thinking has not changed.  Still, Blanche is staring down a fast-ticking clock and razor-thin margins ahead of the Senate Judiciary Committee vote, less than two days away.  Republicans hold a 12 to 10 majority on the panel, and a tie vote would not clear him out of committee to the full Senate chamber.  The lack of support could postpone Blanche's confirmation indefinitely, as both the committee and full chamber vote need to take place Thursday, July 30, before the Senate adjourns for recess.