President Trump is considering temporarily withdrawing the nomination of Todd Blanche to be U.S. attorney general to circumvent opposition from Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina. Both senators have expressed concerns that have effectively stalled Blanche’s confirmation process.

Trump posted on Truth Social that Blanche is a “STAR” with the potential to be one of the greatest attorney generals of all time. However, he criticized Cornyn and Tillis, saying he refused to endorse them and that their political careers have been ended by his actions. Despite their opposition, Blanche will remain acting attorney general.

Tillis, who announced his retirement last year amid disagreements with Trump, and Cornyn, who lost his GOP primary to a Trump-backed challenger, have demanded a written guarantee that a proposed $1.8 billion Justice Department "anti-weaponization" fund will not be revived. Cornyn has also sought changes to the president’s IRS settlement agreement related to the fund.

Blanche has stated the fund is moribund and limited in scope, but Cornyn remains skeptical. Tillis shares Cornyn’s concerns and believes someone at the White House is resisting efforts to clarify the settlement to ensure the fund isn’t resurrected.

The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Chuck Grassley, postponed a scheduled vote on Blanche’s nomination after Cornyn and Tillis threatened to block or not attend the meeting without a resolution. Trump suggested he could keep Blanche as acting attorney general for the next five months and resubmit the nomination after Cornyn and Tillis leave office in January.

Tillis acknowledged Trump’s right to hold the nomination but warned the strategy could backfire if Senate Republicans lose seats or their majority in the next Congress.

Sources