The US Senate Judiciary Committee voted along party lines to advance Todd Blanche‘s nomination for attorney general, sending one of President Donald Trump’s most trusted legal aides to a full Senate vote that is expected to draw intense scrutiny from Democrats.
Blanche cleared the committee after confirming in writing that a planned $1.8 billion fund intended to compensate Trump’s allies had been abandoned. The pledge helped secure Republican support, though the nomination still requires 50 votes on the Senate floor to be confirmed.
The written assurance addressed a central concern that had stalled the process for weeks. Critics had characterized the proposed fund as a vehicle to reward the president’s political allies, and its status became a sticking point in earlier negotiations over the nomination.
Legal experts caution that the commitment carries limited weight, noting that Trump could reverse the decision and revive the fund at any point. The written confirmation binds neither the president nor future administration policy, leaving the door open to renewed disputes.
The path to committee approval had been contentious. The nomination previously faced delays amid demands from Republican senators for firmer guarantees, and the standoff escalated when the administration renewed its push for the settlement fund earlier in the process.
Blanche, who served as a lead defense attorney for Trump during his legal battles, is regarded as a close and loyal figure within the president’s inner circle. His confirmation would place a key Trump ally at the head of the Justice Department.
Democrats on the committee opposed the nomination, and the party is expected to mount vocal resistance on the Senate floor. The partisan split reflects broader concerns among the opposition over the independence of the Justice Department under the current administration.
The confirmation math remains tight. With Republicans holding a narrow majority, the nomination can afford few defections, placing attention on any senators who may express reservations before the final vote.
A date for the full Senate vote has not been set. Should Blanche secure the necessary support, he would assume oversight of federal prosecutions and Justice Department policy at a moment of heightened political tension in Washington.