The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the nomination of Todd Blanche, President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, to become attorney general, clearing the way for final approval by the full Senate.
Blanche has been serving as acting attorney general since Pam Bondi was fired in April. The committee approved his nomination by a vote of 12 to 10.
Republican holdouts change course
Two Republican senators who had raised objections, John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, voted in favor. The two had sought written guarantees that the administration had permanently abandoned a plan for an anti-weaponization fund that would have compensated Trump allies prosecuted during Joe Biden's presidency, and had demanded explanations for tax immunity granted to the Trump family.
Blanche's weekend statement
Blanche released a statement over the weekend addressing those demands. He said the 1.8 billion dollar fund had been canceled, and explained that the tax immunity applied to Trump himself, his sons and the family business, covering their past tax filings.
The Senate, where Republicans hold a majority, is expected to confirm Blanche's appointment by the end of the week.
