Staff Reports
Senator John Cornyn just put a big red stop sign in front of the White House’s push to confirm Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. Cornyn says there is no deal to back Blanche — and he wants written, signed changes to the controversial IRS settlement that created a nearly $1.8 billion “anti‑weaponization” fund before he even considers voting yes. In plain English: talk is cheap, and Cornyn wants ink.
Cornyn: “There is no ‘deal’ on Blanche nom” — and he means it
Cornyn took to X to deny reports that he had cut a deal to approve Blanche. He said, bluntly, “Fake news alert: there is no ‘deal’ on Blanche nom.” More important than the denial is his demand. Cornyn wants the Trump administration to rewrite the IRS settlement language and to produce a revised document signed by Todd Blanche himself. He will not accept mere verbal assurances from Blanche that the anti‑weaponization fund “is not moving forward.”
Why the written fix matters — and why this could block the vote
This isn’t petty paperwork. The settlement included broad releases and a fund of about $1.776–$1.8 billion to compensate people who claim they were targeted by federal law enforcement. A federal judge has already stopped the fund from being implemented and has asked the government for a sworn, written declaration that the fund won’t be revived. That court fight gives Cornyn real leverage. With the Senate Judiciary Committee split narrowly, Cornyn — and fellow Republican Senator Thom Tillis — are pivotal. If Cornyn holds firm, the committee vote could fail and Blanche’s confirmation would stall.
Blanche’s oral promises don’t cut it — and the optics are bad
Todd Blanche told senators in hearings that no money moved and the fund won’t proceed. That’s fine as testimony, but lawmakers want enforceable, written language. Critics also note Blanche’s prior role representing President Trump before joining the Justice Department. That raises questions about independence and judgment. When confirmation hinges on whether a nominee can be trusted to commit in writing, the White House should stop playing games and deliver the signed text Cornyn asks for — or face the consequences.
So what happens next? The White House can give Cornyn the written, signed assurances he demands and try to salvage Blanche’s path. Or it can keep assuming Senate votes are a formality and watch a confirmation unravel. Either way, this episode shows that nominations aren’t just about loyalty or headlines; they are about hard promises, clear language, and respecting the rule of law. If the administration wants a quick confirmation, it should stop hoping for good faith and start delivering paperwork that holds up in court and in the Senate.
