United States President Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer, Todd Blanche, has cleared a significant hurdle toward becoming the country’s top law enforcement official. On Tuesday, August 4th, 2026, Blanche was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee in a 12-10 vote along party lines. This approval marks the last major step before his confirmation is put to a full vote in the US Senate in the coming days.

The committee vote followed delays caused by concerns from two Republican senators, John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina. They questioned Blanche’s close relationship with Trump and his involvement in a settlement with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This settlement created a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponisation" fund, which critics argue was designed to reward Trump’s allies with taxpayer money and limit future IRS audits involving Trump, his oldest sons, and the Trump Organization.

Blanche has stated that the fund has since been voided. However, Cornyn and Tillis warned that he had not provided sufficient assurances that the deal could not be reinstated in the future.

Senator Chris Coons of Delaware emphasized the importance of an impartial justice system, stating, "citizens want and truly deserve an independent and transparent Department of Justice."

Blanche’s nomination now proceeds to the full Senate for a confirmation vote.

Sources