Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) met with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Tuesday for what he described as a "positive interview," but did not commit to backing his nomination to head the Department of Justice.
Cornyn, who sits on the Judiciary Committee, said in a post on X that he will not make a decision on confirmation until after a briefing and completion of his hearing before the committee.
What the Left Is Saying
Senate Democrats have largely remained silent on Blanche's nomination since it was announced. Progressive critics have raised concerns about his role as Trump's personal lawyer, arguing that such ties could compromise DOJ independence. No Senate Democrats provided direct quotes in available reporting on this meeting with Cornyn.
What the Right Is Saying
"I will not make a decision on confirmation until after that briefing and completion of his hearing before the committee," Cornyn wrote on X following the closed-door meeting.
Blanche committed to a "further briefing" on the tax audit issue involving President Trump and his family during the session, but did not address additional details about future plans for the anti-weaponization fund, which has emerged as a sticking point in his confirmation battle.
"We have now the nomination of Todd Blanche that we can hold up if we feel like he's not keeping up with his promise," said Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah), referring to concerns about the anti-weaponization fund.
Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) expressed support for Blanche while acknowledging the fund's origins. "I think it came from the White House, probably from the President, but he has told us and the world that we're not going to do it, and I believe him," Kennedy said. "He's put his credibility on the line."
What the Numbers Show
Blanche is expected to appear for an initial confirmation hearing on July 15 after officially submitting key paperwork for his nomination.
That submission kicks off a mandatory 28-day review clock before the committee can formally convene the hearing.
The anti-weaponization fund was initially announced as a mechanism for victims of political "weaponization" to receive government payouts, raising concerns that individuals who attacked police on Jan. 6, 2021 could be eligible for compensation.
Blanche said earlier this month the Department of Justice would not move forward with the fund, though critics have demanded additional assurances through the confirmation process.
Cornyn told reporters last week he is "interested in hearing how he [Blanche] would approach the job, because he was President Trump's lawyer at one time, but if he's AG, he won't be the president's lawyer."
The Bottom Line
Blanche's path to confirmation remains uncertain as key Republican senators await additional commitments on the anti-weaponization fund issue. The July 15 hearing date sets a concrete timeline for his nomination process to advance, though Cornyn and other committee members have made clear they expect substantive answers before committing their support.