Cornyn says there’s no deal on Blanche attorney general nomination: ‘They know what they have to do’ - The Hill

What the report says

The Hill reported that Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said Tuesday that no agreement has been reached with the Trump administration that would secure his support for Todd Blanche’s nomination to become attorney general. Cornyn wrote on X that reports of a deal were false and added that administration officials “know what they have to do.” The Senate Judiciary Committee is set to vote Thursday on Blanche’s nomination, and Cornyn’s position could affect whether the nomination advances from the panel.

According to The Hill, Cornyn and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), both members of the Judiciary Committee, want the Justice Department to revise a settlement involving President Trump, the DOJ and the IRS. Their concern centers on language tied to a proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” compensation fund for people who claim they were unfairly prosecuted during the Biden administration. Blanche, who is currently acting attorney general, has told senators the fund is no longer active, but Cornyn has said it still appears in settlement documents.

Cornyn told reporters he wants the paperwork to match Blanche’s testimony, including assurances that the fund is dead, that protections from future audits do not extend beyond the parties in the lawsuit, and that the settlement does not release claims involving agencies other than the IRS. The fund was announced in May as part of a settlement resolving Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit over the leak of his and the Trump Organization’s tax records.

The dispute matters because Republican objections from Cornyn and Tillis could complicate Blanche’s path through committee. The Hill also noted earlier friction between Blanche and GOP senators over the proposed fund, with many Republicans expressing concern in a closed-door meeting.