# Blanche AG nomination stalled amid anti-weaponization fund d > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/john-cornyn-blocks-trump-nominations > Updated: 2026-08-16T15:15:43.000Z. Sources: 318. Developments: 8. In late July 2026, Texas Senator John Cornyn warned he would block the Senate Judiciary Committee’s recommendation of Todd Blanche for U.S. Attorney General unless the settlement tied to former President Donald Trump’s IRS lawsuit was revised. Cornyn demanded the $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund be rescinded and that the tax-audit-immunity provision for Trump and his family be narrowed. Two days later, the committee postponed its confirmation vote after Cornyn and North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis asked for written assurances regarding the fund and the immunity clause. On July 31, President Trump declared on Truth Social that he would not change his stance, opting to keep Blanche as interim Attorney General despite pressure from Cornyn and Tillis. Simultaneously, White House aide Susie Wiles met with Senate Republican leaders to address stalemates over the SAVE America Act and budget disputes, though no resolution was reached. On Aug 2, Acting Attorney General Blanche issued a formal order rescinding the fund, confirming no money had been transferred and that the audit-immunity provision remained limited. This satisfied Cornyn and Tillis, allowing the Judiciary Committee to vote 12-10 to advance the nomination. However, President Trump indicated he might temporarily withdraw the nomination to keep Blanche as acting AG until the two senators' terms ended. On Aug 6, Trump announced he would continue pushing for the anti-weaponization legislation. That same day, Senate Republicans, led by John Thune and Tom Cotton, stalled Justice Department requests for records related to former CIA Director John Brennan and the Russia-collusion investigation. On Aug 9, Todd Blanche's nomination passed the Senate by a single vote. Following the vote, Senator Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) stated on “Face the Nation” that he decided to support the confirmation after a 48-hour period of deliberation, despite previous concerns regarding the potential weaponization of the Justice Department. ## Claims - The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on Blanche’s nomination on Tuesday. (disputed by 32 sources) - The Senate Judiciary Committee postponed its scheduled Thursday vote on Blanche’s nomination due to lack of written assurances from the Justice Department. (disputed by 19 sources) - No members were appointed; no funds were transferred; no claims were paid under the fund. (corroborated by 41 sources) - The anti‑weaponization fund was valued at $1.8 billion. (corroborated by 41 sources) - Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis blocked Blanche’s nomination until they received written confirmation that the fund was rescinded. (corroborated by 39 sources) - The anti‑weaponization fund was created as part of a settlement of President Donald Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS. (corroborated by 38 sources) - The order narrows the tax‑audit‑immunity provision to apply only retroactively to the parties named in the lawsuit. (corroborated by 36 sources) - Todd Blanche is serving as acting attorney general. (corroborated by 35 sources) - Senator John Cornyn lost his Senate primary after Trump endorsed his opponent, and Senator Thom Tillis is retiring at the end of his term. (corroborated by 34 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-16: Attorney General Todd Blanche cancels anti-weaponization fund Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed the cancellation of a proposed $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund, though he noted existing legal processes remain available for those seeking government redress. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/attorney-general-todd-blanche-cancels-anti-weaponization-fund ### 2026-08-08: Todd Blanche nomination triggers GOP Senate conflict Attorney General nominee Todd Blanche agreed to terminate the $1.776 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund to secure support from Republican Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/todd-blanche-nomination-triggers-gop-senate-conflict ### 2026-08-06: US Senate Republicans Resist DOJ Over Acting Attorney General and Brennan Records President Trump says he'll keep Todd Blanche as acting AG and push an anti‑weaponization bill after Senators Cornyn and Tillis block his nomination, while Senate leaders Thune and Cotton delay DOJ’s request for 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-senate-republicans-resist-doj-over-acting-attorney-general-and-brennan-records ### 2026-08-02: Todd Blanche Clears Senate Committee Hurdle After Rescinding Trump’s $1.8 B Fund Todd Blanche rescinded the $1.8 B anti‑weaponization fund, satisfying Senators Cornyn and Tillis and prompting a 12‑10 Senate Judiciary Committee vote to advance his attorney‑general nomination. 196 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donald-trump-threatens-to-revive-18-b-antiweaponization-fund-if-attorney-general-nominee-blocked ### 2026-07-31: Donald Trump threatens to revive anti‑weaponization fund as Senate blocks Todd Blanche AG nomination Trump says the $1.8 B anti‑weaponization fund is dead but will revive it if Senators Cornyn and Tillis keep blocking Todd Blanche’s AG nomination; they demand written guarantees the fund stay dead. 80 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/todd-blanches-attorney-general-nomination-stalled-by-senate-over-18b-antiweaponization-fund ### 2026-07-31: Donald Trump confronts Senate over Todd Blanche AG nomination and SAVE America voting ID bill Donald Trump refuses to alter his support for Todd Blanche as interim Attorney General despite demands from Senators Cornyn and Tillis, and sends aide Susie Wiles to Senate leaders to seek a breakthrough on the 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donald-trump-confronts-senate-over-todd-blanche-ag-nomination-and-save-america-voting-id-bill ### 2026-07-29: Todd Blanche’s AG Nomination Stalled Over Anti‑Weaponization Fund Todd Blanche’s AG nomination is on hold as Senators Cornyn and Tillis demand written guarantees that the $1.8 bn anti‑weaponization fund and Trump’s tax‑audit immunity are dead, prompting vote postponements and 125 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/todd-blanches-ag-nomination-stalled-over-gop-senators-fund-objection ### 2026-07-27: John Cornyn threatens to block Todd Blanche AG nomination over anti‑weaponization fund dispute Senator John Cornyn says he will block Todd Blanche’s attorney‑general nomination unless the Trump‑related anti‑weaponization fund settlement is revised, threatening to rescind the $1.8 billion fund and audit‑免 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/john-cornyn-threatens-to-block-todd-blanche-ag-nomination-over-antiweaponization-fund-dispute --- Cite as: Blanche AG nomination stalled amid anti-weaponization fund d. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/john-cornyn-blocks-trump-nominations