Todd Blanche confirmation nears after Cornyn secures Trump settlement deal modifications

Todd Blanche's nomination for U.S. attorney general has moved closer to confirmation following a deal brokered by Sen. John Cornyn with the Justice Department. The agreement addresses concerns raised by Cornyn and Sen. Thom Tillis regarding a settlement President Donald Trump reached with the IRS earlier this year.

The core of the dispute centered on a nearly $1.8 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" and an audit immunity deal for Trump and his family. Critics, including Cornyn, voiced unease that the fund could potentially benefit individuals involved in the January 6th Capitol riot, and that the audit immunity was too broad.

Cornyn had insisted on explicit, written proposals from the Justice Department to nullify the fund and modify the audit shield. After the DOJ initially failed to meet a deadline for these assurances, the Senate Judiciary Committee postponed a scheduled vote on Blanche's nomination.

However, a breakthrough was announced Sunday, with Cornyn's office and Blanche confirming a deal had been struck. Documents released by Blanche appear to satisfy Cornyn's demands, including nullifying the "Anti-Weaponization Fund" and limiting the scope of the IRS audit immunity. This development is expected to clear the path for Cornyn to support Blanche's confirmation at an upcoming committee meeting.