Attorney General Nomination Faces Delays Over IRS Settlement Dispute

Todd Blanche’s nomination as attorney general faced a setback on Wednesday. Lawmakers delayed a planned committee vote after Republican senators sought more details on President Donald Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS. The Senate Judiciary Committee had scheduled a vote for Thursday to advance Blanche’s nomination, but key Republicans questioned the nomination, raising doubts about his confirmation.

The committee postponed the vote after discussions between the Justice Department and Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis. The debate revolves around the settlement of Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS. The agreement included dropping tax claims against Trump and initially planned to establish a $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund.” Although the Justice Department abandoned this fund amid bipartisan criticism, the audit immunity agreement remains effective.

Senators Cornyn and Tillis demanded written guarantees confirming the fund would not be revived. They also sought clarity on the extent of the tax immunity. Cornyn emphasized the need to restrict the immunity to current audits, ensuring future filings remain subject to scrutiny. Cornyn, recently defeated in a Texas primary, accused the Justice Department of obstructing progress. “We’ve been trying to help them get to a conclusion here and they won’t let us,” he remarked.

Blanche avoided reporters’ inquiries as he exited Capitol Hill after discussions with senators. The Justice Department offered new proposals on Wednesday, aiming to meet Cornyn and Tillis’ demands. Following the delay, it stated intentions to collaborate with senators further to resolve issues.

Trump expressed confidence in Blanche, describing him as “outstanding.” He suggested Cornyn was dissatisfied due to the lack of his endorsement, as Trump supported Ken Paxton, who won the Texas Republican primary. Concerns persist over whether the “Anti-Weaponization Fund” could be reinstated without explicit written denial from Trump’s administration. Although Blanche had resisted a formal retraction, he indicated support for drafting legislation to prevent the fund’s creation.

The settlement, stemming from Trump’s lawsuit regarding leaked tax returns, has sparked debate in both Congress and the court. A judge recently criticized Trump’s self-serving actions in the lawsuit and questioned Blanche’s signing of the settlement, given his prior role as Trump’s lawyer. Blanche countered by disagreeing with the judge’s comments.

Associated Press reporters Seung Min Kim and Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.