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◆ Mixed look for BlancheEthics / CorruptionCriminal Justice

Republican Thom Tillis Warns DOJ Behavior Is 'Bad' as He Backs Todd Blanche Nomination

Blanche issued written assurances on the fund and tax-audit settlement as he sought support for his nomination.

Republican Thom Tillis Warns DOJ Behavior Is 'Bad' as He Backs Todd Blanche Nomination
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This article1 analysis · Oct 1, 2026
Newsweek
Aug 4, 2026
tl;dr

The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced Todd Blanche’s attorney general nomination by a 12–10 vote. Thom Tillis and John Cornyn backed it after obtaining written assurances about a Justice Department fund and the limits of a tax-audit settlement involving Donald Trump.

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Todd Blanche R · Attorney General
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Todd Blanche
R · Attorney General

Attorney general nominee who made written assurances to secure support

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Thom Tillis
R · NC · SEN

Senator who supported advancing Blanche’s nomination while criticizing the Justice Department’s conduct

Tillis's version of this story ↗
John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Senator who supported Blanche’s nomination after obtaining written assurances

Cornyn's version of this story ↗
Chuck Grassley
R · IA · SEN

Committee chair who supported Cornyn and Tillis’s push for written guarantees

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President whose administration and tax-audit settlement are discussed

Adam B. Schiff
D · CA · SEN

Representative who warned that confirming Blanche could normalize political retaliation

Richard J. Durbin
D · IL · SEN

Senator who criticized Blanche and accused him of perjury

Sheldon Whitehouse
D · RI · SEN

Senator who questioned Blanche’s record on the rule of law

ALSO MENTIONED  James Comey, Former FBI director cited as an example in criticism of the Justice Department

Part of a bigger story

14 OUTLETS
Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Todd Blanche’s Attorney General Nomination

The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced Todd Blanche’s attorney general nomination 12-10 after Republican Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis backed him following Justice Department assurances about a fund and an IRS settlement. Left-leaning outlets frame the deal as a concession over the fund and connect Blanche to Trump, while one post alleges he serves Trump. Center outlets emphasize the committee process and assurances, with some noting that full-Senate support remains uncertain. Right-leaning outlets present the assurances as addressing the holdouts’ demands and clearing a committee hurdle, while one account also foregrounds Democrats’ objections.

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