Todd Blanche's nomination back on track after GOP deal

Todd Blanche's attorney general nomination is moving forward after two Republican senators received written assurances the Justice Department would abandon a controversial compensation fund.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) reached a deal with the Justice Department that puts Todd Blanche back on track to be confirmed as President Donald Trump’s attorney general before the August recess. The agreement, announced by Cornyn in a Sunday night statement, rescinds the president’s “anti-weaponization” fund in writing and

Sens. Thom Tillis and John Cornyn have refused to support Blanche unless he proves that a payout fund for alleged victims of government abuse is dead.

President Trump threatened to keep Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche in his position if lame duck Republicans don’t confirm his nomination in the Senate.

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) pointed to weaknesses in President Trump’s influence in Congress amid opposition from three outgoing Republican senators to the president’s nomination of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to a permanent role overseeing the Department of Justice (DOJ).  Sens. Thom Tillis (N.C.), Bill Cassi

The president’s comments threw the confirmation of Todd Blanche, his pick to be attorney general, further into doubt.