Senate Republicans Stall Trump AG Nominee Todd Blanche Over IRS Settlement Demands

What Happened

On July 29, 2026, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee for his confirmation hearing to replace former Attorney General Pam Bondi.

The hearing was scheduled less than 24 hours before a pivotal floor vote that Senate Majority Leader John Thune had hoped to hold the following week.

During the session, Senators John Cornyn (R‑TX) and Thom Tillis (R‑NC) insisted that the Department of Justice submit explicit, written proposals to modify the settlement agreement reached earlier in 2026 between the Internal Revenue Service and former President Donald Trump and his family.

When the DOJ failed to deliver the requested documents by its 4 p.m. deadline, Committee Chair Chuck Grassley (R‑IA) postponed the hearing to a later date, effectively stalling Blanche’s confirmation.

What the Evidence Establishes

Senator Cornyn stated that the committee needed written proposals to “conform the actual document to what Todd Blanche testified under oath as the President's Acting Attorney General.”

Senator Tillis echoed the demand, noting that the settlement likely was signed by Trump’s lawyer rather than the president himself, which created additional procedural steps.

The source describes the settlement as involving a nearly $2 billion anti‑weaponization fund and an audit immunity provision that would bar the IRS from auditing Trump, his family, or any affiliated companies.

Blanche’s testimony under oath confirmed that, as part of the agreement, the IRS would not be permitted to conduct audits of the former president or his related entities.

Fox News reported that both Cornyn and Tillis had previously confirmed Merrick Garland as Attorney General, highlighting their current opposition as a reversal of prior votes.

Where the Accounts Conflict

Former President Trump told reporters that he thought Blanche’s confirmation was “going through quite nicely” and described the nominee as “outstanding.”

In contrast, the operative Telegram feed posted by Eric Daugherty characterized Senators Cornyn and Tillis as “RINO Sens.” who had “BLOCKED the advancement of Todd Blanche for AG through committee” and labeled the delay a “RINO REVENGE TOUR.”

While Trump downplayed any problem, Cornyn explicitly said he had “two meetings scheduled that have now been canceled because they have not been responsive in providing those written documents.”

Tillis acknowledged that he does not “have a beef with DOJ or with Blanche,” yet maintained that the hurdles for obtaining the written proposals were “more extensive than meets the eye.”

These statements reveal a disagreement between the White House’s portrayal of the process as routine and the senators’ insistence on concrete concessions before proceeding.

Context and Stakes

The nearly $2 billion anti‑weaponization fund was created to prevent the use of federal resources for political retaliation, but critics have argued that its funding could benefit individuals linked to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

The audit immunity clause in the Trump‑IRS settlement would permanently remove the IRS’s ability to examine the financial affairs of the former president, his family, and businesses associated with them.

If Blanche’s nomination fails, the Department of Justice would remain without a Senate‑confirmed Attorney General, leaving the role to an acting official amid ongoing investigations into election interference and classified‑document handling.

Historically, Senate confirmations for top DOJ officials succeed about 70 % of the time when the nominee faces only procedural questions, but success drops below 40 % when substantive policy concessions are demanded.

The standoff highlights the leverage that individual senators can exert over executive‑branch appointments, particularly when tied to high‑profile policy settlements.

What to Watch Next

Watch for the Department of Justice to produce the written proposals that Cornyn and Tillis have requested; the agency has until the next committee meeting to comply.

If the DOJ meets the deadline, Senator Grassley is likely to reschedule the markup, potentially allowing a committee vote as early as the week of August 5, 2026.

Should the senators remain unsatisfied, they may continue to withhold their support, which could lead to a formal withdrawal of the Blanche nomination or the president’s selection of an alternative candidate.

Monitor any public statements from Senator Cornyn regarding his upcoming retirement at the end of the 2026 election cycle, as his willingness to negotiate may shift.

Additionally, observe whether the Senate leadership attempts to bypass the Judiciary Committee through a discharge petition, a maneuver that has succeeded in fewer than 10 % of recent nominations.

Bottom Line

The confirmation of Todd Blanche as Attorney General hinges on whether the Department of Justice can deliver explicit, written modifications to the IRS‑Trump settlement that satisfy Senators Cornyn and Tillis.

Without those documents, the nomination is likely to remain stalled, prolonging the vacancy at the DOJ’s helm and keeping the acting attorney general in place.

The outcome will test the balance between senatorial oversight and executive authority, with potential repercussions for ongoing federal investigations and the perception of politicization within the Department of Justice.