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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche cleared a big hurdle this week when the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 12–10 to send his nomination to the full Senate. The move came after Blanche and the Justice Department formally backed away from the controversial “anti-weaponization” compensation fund tied to a settlement. That concession is what broke the logjam and set up a likely floor vote this week.
Committee Clears Major Hurdle for Todd Blanche Confirmation
The committee vote was a tight, partisan affair, but it mattered. Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis publicly said they would advance the nomination only after written assurances that the roughly $1.8 billion fund was dead. Blanche delivered those assurances. With their support secured, Blanche’s nomination was reported out of the Senate Judiciary Committee and now heads to a full Senate vote. Expect the Senate to act this week on the Todd Blanche confirmation.
What the Rescission of the Anti-Weaponization Fund Actually Means
Let’s be clear: the Justice Department’s move rescinded a specific, stand-alone compensation fund. It did not, by every account, lock the door on every possible way money or protections might flow through other legal channels. A federal judge had already raised doubts about the fund and pressed for clear steps. The written rescission answered that judge and quieted GOP concerns — but it left open some legal questions for judges and future litigation to sort out.
GOP Tension and the Case for a Strong DOJ
This episode exposed a real tension inside the Republican conference. Some senators demanded paperwork and guarantees before they would bend the knee. Others, like Senator Eric Schmitt, cheered Blanche’s results and called him a winner for public safety. Democrats, led by Senator Dick Durbin, predictably accused Blanche of being the president’s personal lawyer and warned about DOJ independence. Funny enough, the best way to prove independence is to run a department that follows the law and refuses political weaponization — not to wallow in media outrage.
Next Steps: Full Senate Vote and Needed Oversight
The full Senate now decides whether to confirm Blanche as Attorney General. With a slim GOP majority, unity matters. If Blanche is confirmed, Republicans should provide support but also demand transparency. The DOJ must now show it will “live up” to the written assurances and stop any hint of weaponization. That’s not just politics — it’s common sense. Confirm him, then hold him to the deal. The country is better served by a Justice Department that enforces the law evenly and stays out of political gamesmanship.
