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Senate Republicans stall Todd Blanche confirmation over $1.8B slush fund

newsJul 30, 202631943

Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis have refused to advance President Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general, Todd Blanche, until they receive written assurances that the administration will abandon provisions tied to a scrapped $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” and an IRS audit immunity agreement. Trump wrote on Truth Social that he would consider withdrawing Blanche’s nomination temporarily “if they do not do the right thing” and resubmitting him after Cornyn and Tillis leave office, calling Blanche “a STAR.” Cornyn pushed back publicly, saying other senators share his concerns and disputing the White House’s handling of the settlement language. Commentators and reporters noted the politics: analysts warned Blanche’s prospects may not improve in 2027 if Democrats pick up Senate seats, and some observers tied Trump’s readiness to pull the nomination to protecting tax-related benefits worth roughly $100 million to him personally. Cornyn says he needs explicit, written changes to the settlement language before he will move the nomination forward; the standoff leaves Blanche’s confirmation in limbo and keeps the settlement and immunity questions unresolved heading into post-midterm Senate calculations.

Christopher Webb
@cwebbonline.com

I was wondering if anyone was keeping a running total on Trump’s waste and abuse. You have to check out this video. And there’s so much, I bet you forgot about some of it: 💰Ballroom: $1 billion project, taxpayers already on the hook for $300 mill 💰 J6 Slush Fund: $1.776 billion for his rioters 🧵

6175h ago
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