GOP holdouts say they will vote to advance Blanche's nomination for attorney general
Blanche issued a written order rescinding the proposed fund and clarifying the limits of the tax-immunity agreement as senators weighed his nomination.
SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYCredibility rates Watauga Democrat, which republished this story. The other scores rate the article itself.
The story is attributed to the Associated Press, a major wire service with established editorial standards, and the page carries an AP copyright notice. The local publisher appears to be carrying AP reporting rather than producing the article.
- Source type — The reporting is attributed to the Associated Press, a major news wire.
- Author attribution — Two named AP reporters are credited.
- Editorial standards — The article uses attributed statements and reports competing reactions.
The report gives a clear account of the senators’ demands and the Justice Department’s written changes, with specific terms and attributed comments from Republicans, a Democrat and Trump. It could provide more independent legal or policy context on the settlement and the possibility of future claims.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The article presents the senators’ reasons for supporting the nomination, the Justice Department’s written terms and Schiff’s criticism. The presentation could offer more independent analysis of what the agreement permits or prevents.
- Source diversity — The article includes statements from Republicans, a Democrat and Trump, but relies mainly on participants’ accounts.
- Counterarguments presented — Schiff’s criticism of the deal is included alongside the senators’ favorable assessment.
- Omitted context — There is limited independent explanation of the legal effect of the settlement terms.
The report uses largely neutral language and attributes the competing assessments of the deal to the people making them. It does not clearly favor a party or political position.
- Language tone — The narrative is factual and avoids overtly loaded descriptions.
- Source selection — It includes comments from the Republican senators, a Democratic senator and Trump.
- Framing — The article centers the negotiation and its stated terms rather than endorsing either side’s account.
Republished with credit
Republished from Associated Press, with credit to the original publisher.
453 stories · 96–97 · updated Sep 30, 2026
This is Associated Press's own score, and this article is credited to Associated Press. The host score in the Source Check is Watauga Democrat's.
Republican Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis said they would support advancing Todd Blanche’s attorney general nomination after the Justice Department issued a written order rescinding a proposed fund and clarified limits on a tax-immunity agreement.
Cornyn and Tillis had withheld support for Blanche’s nomination while seeking written assurances about the proposed $1.8 billion fund and the scope of a tax-immunity agreement tied to President Donald Trump’s IRS lawsuit. Blanche issued an order saying there was no fund, and the Justice Department clarified that the tax protection applied only retroactively to claims open when the settlement was made and covered only the parties to the lawsuit.
The senators said they were pleased with the concessions and would vote to advance the nomination out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Sen. Adam Schiff argued that the deal still left open the possibility of future payments to Jan. 6 rioters and left questions about the tax-immunity agreement. Trump had threatened to push forward with the fund if the senators blocked Blanche’s nomination.
Community verdict
18 VOTESPeople in this story
SWIPE →Acting attorney general and nominee whose order addressed the fund and tax agreement
President whose IRS settlement, proposed fund and public statements were central to the dispute
Trump's version of this story ↗North Carolina senator who agreed to support advancing Blanche’s nomination
Tillis's version of this story ↗Texas senator who agreed to support advancing Blanche’s nomination
Cornyn's version of this story ↗Former attorney general whose departure preceded Blanche’s elevation
Democratic senator who criticized the deal
Part of a bigger story
22 OUTLETSOutlets agree Todd Blanche issued a Justice Department order rescinding the proposed anti-weaponization fund, addressing senators’ concerns as they weighed his attorney general nomination. Senators then said they would support advancing his nomination. Left-leaning outlets question whether the order meaningfully limits protections for Trump and criticize senators who backed Blanche, while others report the deal and nomination path. Center outlets mostly report the order and confirmation process, while some question whether the changes leave loopholes. Right-leaning outlets emphasize the deal as a negotiated step that addresses senators’ concerns and advances Blanche’s nomination.
- ARTICLES
- 26
- OUTLETS
- 22
- AVG CRED
- 75
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