President Trump threatened to withdraw Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general until two Republican senators leave office in January.
Key facts
- •The Senate Judiciary Committee postponed the vote on Todd Blanche’s nomination because a single Republican no vote would prevent it from advancing.
- •Trump proposed resubmitting the nomination after Senators Cornyn and Tillis leave office in January.
- •The disputed settlement includes a $1,776 'anti-weaponization' fund that the Justice Department previously agreed verbally to remove.
- •Senator Tillis warned that the delay strategy could backfire if Democrats win control of the Senate in the midterm elections.
President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that he may temporarily withdraw Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general to bypass opposition from two Republican senators. The Senate Judiciary Committee postponed a vote on the nomination due to concerns raised by Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina. Trump suggested he would resubmit the nomination after both senators depart in January.
Basis of Senatorial Opposition
Senators Cornyn and Tillis have withheld their support for Blanche due to provisions within a settlement between Trump and the Internal Revenue Service regarding the leak of his tax returns. Specifically, the lawmakers are demanding that the Justice Department provide a written commitment to eliminate a $1,776 'anti-weaponization' fund created as part of the settlement. Additionally, they are seeking to narrow protections in the agreement that shield Trump, his family, and his companies from IRS audits.
Responses from Lawmakers
Senator Cornyn stated on X that Trump is mistaken if he believes opposition to the tax settlement provisions is limited to him and Senator Tillis. Senator Tillis criticized Trump’s proposal as 'politically tone deaf,' arguing that the move would provide political ammunition to Democrats and journalists. Tillis further noted that if Republicans lose control of the Senate in the upcoming midterm elections, a future Democratic-controlled chamber could block the nomination entirely.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by NBC Politics, NBC Politics.
