Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) voted Tuesday, July 30, 2026 [2], to advance the nomination of Todd Blanche to become the permanent U.S. Attorney General [1].
The vote marks a critical step in securing the leadership of the Department of Justice, as Blanche moves closer to confirmation after addressing concerns from GOP lawmakers regarding his ties to the presidency.
Tillis said that Blanche is no longer the personal attorney for President Trump [1]. He said that Blanche has been interested in the DOJ "long before he ever knew Donald J. Trump" [1].
The nomination advanced after Blanche terminated President Trump's "anti-weaponization fund" [1]. Additionally, Tillis cited written assurances provided by Blanche that addressed specific concerns held by Republican senators [3].
Blanche is one of two Republican senators who announced they would advance the nomination [4]. The proceedings took place on the Senate floor, where the vote determined whether the nomination would move forward toward a final confirmation [2].
This development follows a period of scrutiny regarding Blanche's previous legal roles and his ability to maintain independence while leading the nation's top law enforcement agency. The written assurances provided to senators were a key factor in securing the necessary support to move the process forward [3].
“He’s been interested in the DOJ “long before he ever knew Donald J. Trump.””
The advancement of Todd Blanche's nomination suggests that Republican leadership is prioritizing the filling of the Attorney General position over lingering concerns about the nominee's previous ties to President Trump. By securing written assurances and the termination of the anti-weaponization fund, Blanche has neutralized key GOP objections, clearing a political path toward formal confirmation.
