AG pick Blanche to meet with Epstein survivors after 2 GOP senators hedge on nomination - CNBC

Two Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. John Cornyn of Texas and Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, said Thursday, July 16, 2026, that they remain undecided about confirming Todd Blanche as U.S. attorney general, threatening President Donald Trump's nominee.
With Republicans holding 11 seats to Democrats' 10 on the committee, a single defection from Cornyn or Tillis could block Blanche's nomination from reaching a full Senate vote.
Both lawmakers raised concerns about a controversial, now-canceled $1.8 billion DOJ "Anti-Weaponization" fund, which was established as part of a settlement of Trump's lawsuit against the IRS.
Tillis said during the second day of hearings that he wanted Blanche to meet with victims of the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein before he would vote on the confirmation.
Following Tillis' remarks, Blanche scheduled a 4:30 p.m. ET meeting at the DOJ with four Epstein victims, along with the brother and sister-in-law of the late Virginia Giuffre.
The pushback reflects a broader pattern of departing Republicans resisting parts of Trump's agenda; Cornyn lost his state's GOP Senate primary in May and leaves in January, while Tillis is not seeking reelection, and the committee lost a member when Sen. Lindsey Graham died unexpectedly the prior weekend.