The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 12-10 on August 4, 2026, to advance the nomination of Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to the full Senate for a final confirmation. Mr. Blanche, who previously served as President Trump’s personal attorney, received support along party lines following a period of internal debate among committee members regarding a lawsuit settlement and his leadership at the Department of Justice.
The vote occurred after Republican Senators Thom Tillis (NC) and John Cornyn (TX) changed their initial opposition to the nominee. Their reversal followed a written commitment from Mr. Blanche stating he would modify an agreement that settled a $10 billion lawsuit filed by President Trump against the Internal Revenue Service (I.R.S.). The two senators stated their reasons for supporting the nomination after receiving this written assurance.
Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-IL) opposed the nomination, stating during his opening testimony that "the political escapade of the last week has made it clearer than ever that Todd Blanche has no business serving as our nation's chief law enforcement officer." Sen. Durbin questioned the enforceability of Mr. Blanche’s written promises regarding the I.R.S. settlement and criticized the nominee's handling of personnel and investigations during his time as Acting Attorney General.
For the general public, the primary impact involves the precedent set by the settlement of President Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the I.R.S. Critics like Sen. Durbin noted the settlement included a $1.776 billion "January 6th slush fund" and clauses releasing the Trump family from certain tax liabilities. The nominee's written promise to change this agreement was the deciding factor for two key Republican senators, potentially shifting how such high-value settlements involving executive branch officials are managed in the future. The concrete day-to-day change for citizens would be reflected in how the Department of Justice prioritizes criminal prosecutions versus civil settlements under the new Attorney General.
The next step in the process is a final confirmation vote by the full U.S. Senate. If confirmed, Mr. Blanche will move from his current role as Acting Attorney General to the permanent, Senate-confirmed head of the department. While a specific date for the full Senate vote was not reported, the committee's 12-10 favorable report ensures the nomination will proceed for floor consideration. Failure to confirm him would leave the position in its current "acting" status, which Sen. Durbin noted the President intends to maintain if necessary.