Trump may pull attorney general nominee until Senate critics leave office

President Trump indicated Thursday he is open to temporarily withdrawing Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general until January, when Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis depart office. Their opposition has effectively stalled Blanche's confirmation process.

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Todd Blanche is a STAR, and everyone knows it! He has the potential to go down as one of the Greatest Attorney Generals of All Time. However, John Cornyn, of Texas, and Thom Tillis, of North Carolina, both of whom I refused to Endorse, and whose political careers have been ended by my action, are refusing to vote for this Great Nominee, who will remain, in any event, as Acting.

Cornyn, in particular, demands written assurances from the Justice Department and Blanche that the DOJ's "anti-weaponization fund" will not be revived. He also seeks changes to the president's personal IRS settlement related to the fund. Without these agreements, Cornyn stated he is unwilling to vote "yes."

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I have no objection to temporarily withdrawing Todd's name, if they do not do the right thing, and putting him back after Cornyn and Tillis are out of office.

The Senate Judiciary Committee postponed its vote on Blanche's nomination, prompting Trump's statement on Truth Social. He praised Blanche as a "STAR" with potential to be a "Great Attorney General" but criticized Cornyn and Tillis, whose political careers he claims to have ended by refusing endorsements. "I have no objection to temporarily withdrawing Todd's name, if they do not do the right thing, and putting him back after Cornyn and Tillis are out of office," Trump posted.

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We want to make sure that it remains dead, and that the president isn't given any immunity from future audits that the ordinary taxpayer would not enjoy.

Cornyn reported receiving an updated offer from the Justice Department Wednesday night but faced pushback from "higher ups" at the White House. He wants Blanche to reaffirm in writing that the "anti-weaponization fund" is "dead," a commitment Blanche reportedly hesitates to make. Tillis expressed optimism for a resolution but suggested a White House adviser might be giving Trump poor counsel. Cornyn also noted that other senators share their concerns, a point echoed by GOP Senator Bill Cassidy, who stated Blanche cannot provide the commitments Cornyn and Tillis seek.

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The only reason why we wouldn't move forward with this language is because that same adviser wants to bring it back to life at some point.