- The Senate Judiciary Committee voted along party lines to advance Todd Blanche’s nomination to be Attorney General, despite significant protests from Democratic senators.
- Blanche’s nomination had been delayed due to concerns from Republican Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn regarding a proposed $1.776 billion 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' and an IRS settlement involving Donald Trump.
- Blanche secured the support of Tillis and Cornyn by signing an order on August 2, rescinding the 'Anti-Weaponization Fund,' which Donald Trump had publicly endorsed and threatened to pull Blanche's nomination over.
- Democratic senators, including Sheldon Whitehouse and Cory Booker, expressed strong skepticism about the agreement, calling it legally ineffective and accusing Blanche of being loyal to Donald Trump rather than the law.
- Blanche’s nomination is now expected to pass the full Senate by a narrow margin but whether that will occur before the Senate leaves for the August recess at the end of the week remains up in the air.
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