Sen. John Cornyn, a key undecided vote on the Judiciary Committee, is refusing to support Todd Blanche’s nomination as U.S. attorney general due to concerns over a settlement agreement between the Department of Justice and President Donald Trump. Cornyn, who lost his Republican primary in May, has been a steady hand within the Republican conference but is now using his leverage over the administration in his final months in the Senate.

Cornyn’s Demands

Cornyn is demanding written guarantees that the settlement agreement, which includes an anti-weaponization fund and audit immunity for Trump and his associates, will not be revived in any form. The senator wants a termination clause on paper and has insisted that the audit immunity apply only to parties involved in the lawsuit, not to future cases.

The settlement agreement has been met with widespread criticism, with some arguing that it provides immunity from audits that no other taxpayer could receive. Cornyn has expressed concerns that the fund could be used to compensate rioters who assaulted police officers during the January 6 protests at the U.S. Capitol.

Blanche’s Nomination

Blanche’s nomination is now at risk due to Cornyn’s opposition. The senator’s vote is crucial, as Republicans control 12 of the 22 seats on the Judiciary Committee. If Cornyn’s demands are not met, the committee may need to postpone the nomination vote.

Other senators, including Thom Tillis of North Carolina, have also expressed reservations about confirming Blanche. The nomination has sparked controversy, with some critics arguing that Blanche’s handling of the late child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein’s case and his treatment of Epstein’s victims are disqualifying.

Original reporting: Texas Tribune (HLL/CB) — read the source article.