GOP Doubt Clouds Blanche Confirmation as Epstein Victims Meeting Looms

Two Republican senators on the Senate Judiciary Committee remain undecided on confirming Todd Blanche as U.S. attorney general, risking the nomination's progress. Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis cite concerns about reviving the $1.8 billion DOJ “Anti-Weaponization” fund from a Trump IRS settlement, with Tillis wanting Blanche to meet Epstein survivors before voting. Blanche has scheduled such a meeting at the DOJ, while Cornyn pressed him on the fund's language that could allow revival. If both GOP holdouts oppose and Democrats back Blanche, the committee could stall and prevent a full Senate vote. Blanche has been acting attorney general since April after Pam Bondi was fired and previously served as deputy AG; Epstein survivors have criticized his handling of related disclosures.)