Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee are expected to advance Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination for the permanent attorney general position on Tuesday morning, August 4, 2026. The nomination had been delayed due to concerns raised by Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, both of whom are leaving Congress in January.

Cornyn and Tillis objected to the nearly $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund that the Trump administration attempted to establish in May. This fund was intended to provide taxpayer-funded payments to allies of former President Trump, potentially including six rioters pardoned by Trump on his first day back in office. The fund was connected to a lawsuit brought by Trump and his family against the government over the leak of his tax returns.

Blanche announced on Sunday that he had reached a deal to amend the settlement, which later satisfied the concerns of Cornyn and Tillis. In a statement on Monday, the two senators expressed that they were “pleased that the Department of Justice has issued a formal order terminating the anti-weaponization fund.”

If the Senate Judiciary Committee approves Blanche’s nomination, it will proceed to a full Senate vote, where Republicans hold 53 seats. Blanche was nominated after Trump fired former Attorney General Pam Bondi in April amid reports of frustration over her handling of legal actions against Trump’s political opponents.

Meanwhile, it remains unclear how the Justice Department will handle claims made by six rioters against the government, despite the government having a straightforward method to dismiss these claims due to untimely filing.

Additional events on Tuesday include a major primary in Michigan where voters will choose between Democrat candidates Abdul El-Sayed and a moderate representative, and The Hill’s parent company Nexstar hosting the second South Carolina GOP Senate debate. Former President Trump will also embark on a two-day tour in California and Nevada to promote his economic agenda.

Sources