Todd Blanche's nomination to serve as attorney general secured the backing of two critical Republican senators Thursday, clearing the path for a Judiciary Committee vote.
Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina announced their support after Blanche committed in writing to eliminate a $1.8 billion fund that had become the flashpoint of a week-long standoff over the nation's top law enforcement post.
The two senators had threatened to block Blanche's bid to lead the Justice Department permanently, casting enough doubt on his confirmation to delay a committee vote that had been expected the previous Thursday. Without their support, some observers had suggested the nomination could be held up until September.
At the center of the dispute was the planned fund. Proponents called it an "anti-weaponization fund" intended to counter perceived political bias within federal agencies. Critics called it a slush fund for President Trump's allies that would serve partisan interests rather than the broad aims of the Justice Department.
Blanche, who currently serves as acting attorney general, resolved the standoff by saying in writing that the fund was dead. The concession removed the financial and political obstacle to his permanent appointment.
The episode shows the power individual senators can wield over presidential appointments, even within the president's own party. Cornyn and Tillis extracted a concrete policy change on a major spending item — a sign that some Republicans are willing to challenge the administration on how it funds and directs the Justice Department.
With that dispute resolved, the Senate Judiciary Committee can move forward with a vote on Blanche's nomination. Committee Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is expected to advance the nomination to the full Senate, where Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) would schedule a final confirmation vote.
Cornyn and Tillis both said they now look forward to voting for Blanche. The path to confirmation appears clear.
