Trump Might Withdraw Todd Blanche’s AG Nomination

Trump considers pulling Todd Blanche’s AG nomination amid stalled Senate support, as two senators demand assurances on a controversial compensation fund.

US President Donald Trump is contemplating the withdrawal of Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general, as the confirmation process encounters significant delays in the Senate.

Blanche, who has held the acting attorney general position since April, requires unanimous backing from Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee to move forward with his confirmation.

Currently, two Republican senators—John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis from North Carolina—are withholding their support due to concerns regarding a contentious fund aimed at compensating Trump allies. This fund was proposed to settle a lawsuit between Trump and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regarding the alleged leaking of his tax returns.

The $1.8 billion “anti-weaponisation fund” was designed to enable partisan allies of Trump to seek recompense for what they assert are politically motivated prosecutions by previous administrations. The proposal received backlash from both sides of the aisle, leading to Blanche’s eventual decision to abandon the plan.

Further complicating matters, a federal judge has blocked the fund, citing ethical concerns regarding its establishment. Cornyn and Tillis are now requesting Blanche to provide written confirmation that the Department of Justice will not pursue the resurrection of the fund in the future. The Trump administration has yet to publicly commit to this demand.

On Thursday, Blanche met with both senators, although reports indicate no agreement was reached. “The only logical conclusion I can draw from this setback is that, in fact, there is somebody who wants to enable [the fund] at the right time,” Tillis articulated, deeming this situation “unacceptable.”

Trump’s suggestion that he could renominate Blanche after Cornyn and Tillis leave office presents challenges; Democrats could regain the Senate majority in the upcoming midterms, complicating Blanche’s prospects for confirmation.

Federal vacancies typically allow for a temporary acting capacity for up to 210 days, meaning Blanche could remain in his role while the Senate processes his confirmation. Should Democrats secure a Senate majority, there is a possibility that Blanche might continue to serve as the nation’s leading law enforcement official.

Polling data suggests mixed outcomes for the upcoming Senate elections. While many surveys indicate that Democrats might take the lead, the data is less decisive regarding the House of Representatives.

According to current reports, Democrat Roy Cooper appears to be leading in North Carolina, adding another layer of uncertainty to the political landscape.

In Texas, Cornyn recently lost a primary contest to state Attorney General Ken Paxton, who has received public endorsement from Trump, placing him against Democrat James Talarico in an election that could yield unexpected results in a state traditionally leaning Republican.

Trump’s nominations to various positions have historically faced hurdles from his party, including the previously aborted nomination of former congressman Matt Gaetz and failed attempts to fill positions like the CDC lead.