Todd Blanche Nomination in Jeopardy Over Tax Immunity Deal

• Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general is in jeopardy due to concerns over a tax immunity deal with President Donald Trump.
• Senator John Cornyn, a key Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, has cancelled an eleventh-hour meeting with Blanche and expressed frustration with the Justice Department's handling of the issue.
• The potential collapse of Blanche's nomination may require lawyers and compliance officers to advise clients on the implications of a revived tax immunity deal.

Senator Cornyn said that he’d yet to see “a single piece of writing” responsive to his requests for confirmation that the tax immunity deal was formally dead.

A contentious tax immunity deal between President Donald Trump and the Internal Revenue Service has put Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general in jeopardy. The agreement, which established a $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponization' fund, included a provision that barred the government from probing past tax information of Trump, his family, or companies. Despite a federal judge tossing the settlement and the Justice Department walking back the weaponization fund, concerns remain about the deal's implications. Senator John Cornyn, a key Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, has expressed frustration with the Justice Department's handling of the issue.

In a move that throws doubt on whether the Senate Judiciary Committee will have the votes to advance Blanche's nomination, Senator Cornyn cancelled an eleventh-hour meeting with the Trump administration official. The senator had demanded a written declaration from the Justice Department confirming the tax immunity deal was formally dead. However, the agency has refused to provide such documentation, leading Cornyn to declare he is 'not prepared to vote yes' on Blanche's nomination without assurance on the issue.

The potential collapse of Todd Blanche's nomination may require lawyers and compliance officers to advise clients on the implications of a revived tax immunity deal. A federal judge has already tossed the settlement, but concerns remain about its provisions, including the possibility of future lawsuits reviving the $1.8 billion weaponization fund. Senator Cornyn pointed out during Blanche's nomination hearing that the language of the Trump-IRS settlement could open the door for such a revival.

The potential collapse of Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general may require lawyers and compliance officers to advise their clients on the implications of a revived tax immunity deal, including potential breaches of contract and future lawsuits.

Source: Original reporting via CN