Trump’s ex-lawyer advances in attorney general bid after deal with Republicans

The closely scrutinised Senate Judiciary Committee vote followed two hours of debate about Blanche’s relationship with Trump and the unusual settlement that almost derailed his confirmation, with Republicans voting in favour and Democrats opposing the nomination by a 12-10 vote. Blanche didn’t participate in the meeting as it was not a hearing.

Republican senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina had delayed the committee vote for a week. They threatened to oppose Blanche unless he dismantled the proposed “Anti-Weaponisation Fund” and narrowed an agreement limiting Internal Revenue Service audits of Trump and his family.

The fund emerged from the Trump administration’s settlement of a lawsuit the president filed against the IRS over the leaking of his tax records.

It was intended to compensate people who claimed politically motivated government investigations had targeted them.