Senate panel advances Todd Blanche's attorney general nomination

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 12-10 along party lines on Tuesday to advance Todd Blanche's nomination for U.S. Attorney General, clearing a key hurdle after weeks of delay. Blanche, who has served as acting attorney general since April, now faces a full Senate vote, where Republicans hold a narrow 53-47 majority Source: CNN Source: Infobae. The nomination had been stalled by Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, who demanded written guarantees that a controversial $1.8 billion fund for Trump allies would be scrapped Source: Clarin Source: El País.

The fund dispute

Blanche issued an order Sunday night formally rescinding the "anti-instrumentalization" fund, stating "beyond any doubt, that no Fund exists" Source: Clarin. The order also clarified that tax audit immunity for Trump and his family applies only retroactively, not to future audits Source: Diario Libre. However, Democrats argue the order is insufficient. Senator Dick Durbin said Blanche "can reactivate the fund easily with a new order 15 minutes after he is confirmed" Source: El País. CNN legal analyst Elie Honig noted that Trump and his lawyers have not signed the revocation document, meaning they could theoretically sue to reinstate it Source: CNN.

What's next

The full Senate could vote as early as this week. Republicans can afford only two defections, and some senators have yet to declare their position Source: El País. Blanche's confirmation is seen as a priority for the White House to solidify control over the Justice Department Source: Infobae.