Senator Cornyn Acknowledges Limitations in Stopping AG Nomination

Republican Senator John Cornyn stated that there was little he could do to oppose President Trump's influence after he voted in favor of Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general. Cornyn and Senator Thom Tillis had previously threatened to block Blanche's nomination in the Senate Judiciary Committee, seeking assurances from Trump regarding a proposed fund for individuals claiming government wrongdoing. Despite their initial opposition, both senators ultimately voted in favor of the nomination in a 12-10 committee vote. Cornyn remarked, 'There’s nothing we could do to rein in the president when he said he likes the fund and he wishes it still exists.' This nomination now proceeds to a full Senate vote. Trump has suggested that Cornyn's support for Blanche was motivated by personal grievances related to a GOP primary loss to Ken Paxton, which Cornyn has denied. Additionally, a group of Epstein survivors criticized the senators for their support of Blanche after initially opposing his nomination.