The Senate Judiciary Committee has postponed a vote on Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general after Sen. John Cornyn said the Justice Department failed to address his concerns about a deal shielding President Donald Trump and others from IRS tax audits.
Key facts
- The Senate Judiciary Committee's vote on Todd Blanche's attorney general nomination was postponed.
- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said the DOJ has not satisfied his concerns.
- The concerns center on a deal to shield President Donald Trump and others from IRS tax audits.
- The developments were reported by CNBC on July 29-30, 2026.
The nomination of Todd Blanche to serve as attorney general has been thrown into uncertainty after Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, raised concerns about a deal involving IRS tax audits, according to CNBC.
Cornyn said the Department of Justice has failed to satisfy his concerns about an arrangement to shield President Donald Trump and others from IRS tax audits, CNBC reported. His reservations have proved significant enough to affect the timeline of the confirmation process.
As a result, the Senate Judiciary Committee postponed its scheduled vote on Blanche’s nomination, CNBC reported. The delay reflects unresolved questions among committee members about the settlement at the heart of Cornyn’s objections.
The reporting from CNBC did not detail the specific terms of the deal beyond describing it as an arrangement that would shield the president and others from IRS tax audits. It also did not indicate when a rescheduled vote might take place.
With the vote on hold, the outcome of Blanche’s bid to lead the Justice Department remains unsettled, pending further review of the concerns Cornyn has raised.
Why it matters
The attorney general leads the Justice Department and oversees federal law enforcement, so questions surrounding a nominee's confirmation carry broad consequences. Concerns over a deal shielding the president from IRS audits raise scrutiny about the independence and accountability of that office.
Frequently asked questions
Why was the vote on Todd Blanche's nomination postponed?
According to CNBC, the Senate Judiciary Committee postponed the vote amid concerns raised by Sen. John Cornyn about a deal to shield President Donald Trump and others from IRS tax audits.
Who is raising concerns about the nomination?
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said the Justice Department has failed to satisfy his concerns about the Trump-IRS settlement, CNBC reported.
What position is Todd Blanche nominated for?
Todd Blanche has been nominated to serve as attorney general, according to CNBC.