Todd Blanche Cleared by Senate Judiciary Committee for Attorney General Post

The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee voted on Tuesday to advance the nomination of Todd Blanche—former personal attorney to President Donald Trump—for attorney general, moving him closer to confirmation by the full Senate.

The panel approved the nomination by a 12–10 margin after Republican senators John Cornyn and Tom Tillis withdrew their prior objections.

Committee approval was delayed due to concerns raised by those two senators regarding a $1.8 billion fund intended to compensate individuals who claim they faced politically motivated prosecutions, as well as a tax immunity agreement covering Trump, his two eldest sons, and the Trump Organization.

Blanche, serving as acting attorney general following Pam Bondi’s departure, recently issued an order terminating the “Justice Against Politicization Fund.” He clarified that the tax immunity agreement with Trump and related parties would apply only retroactively to prior tax years.

The full Senate—where Republicans hold the majority—is expected to vote later this week on Blanche’s confirmation.

Democratic senators opposed the nomination, arguing that Blanche treated the Department of Justice as an extension of Trump’s personal legal team.

Democratic Concerns Over Independence

Senator Dick Durbin, a Democrat, stated: “Todd Blanche should not be confirmed as the nation’s top law enforcement official.” He added: “The attorney general is supposed to be the people’s lawyer—but Mr. Blanche continues to act as the president’s personal lawyer.”

Republican Support and Broader Context

Vice President JD Vance praised Blanche, saying he “will continue to serve the American people and the Trump administration faithfully—and will be an excellent attorney general.”

Blanche is closely tied to what Democrats describe as Trump’s “retaliatory campaign” against political opponents. He assisted in negotiating a controversial legal settlement tied to Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the unlawful disclosure of his tax records.

That proposed settlement included tax audit immunity for prior years and the creation of a $1.776 billion fund to compensate individuals who allege unfair targeting by the Department of Justice.

Blanche has also drawn criticism from Jeffrey Epstein victims over his handling of the public release of investigative files related to the late financier, who was convicted of sex crimes and had a close prior relationship with Trump.