President Trump announced Thursday he is prepared to temporarily withdraw the nomination of Todd Blanche for attorney general, a move that comes as the acting attorney general faces opposition from within the president's own party over a contentious Justice Department settlement.
Two Republican senators, John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, have withheld their support for Blanche over concerns about a Justice Department agreement that resolved President Trump's lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service regarding leaked tax returns. Their votes would be necessary for Blanche to advance through the committee confirmation process.
In a social media post Thursday, Trump suggested he would keep Blanche in his current role as acting attorney general and resubmit the nomination after the two senators leave office. Both Cornyn and Tillis will depart Congress in January. Tillis announced his retirement last year following public disagreements with Trump over a major tax-and-spending bill, while Cornyn lost his primary election this year to a candidate backed by Trump.
The president's post took direct aim at the two senators, claiming their political careers had ended due to his actions. Trump wrote that he had no objection to temporarily withdrawing the nomination if the senators did not support Blanche, and would resubmit it after Cornyn and Tillis left office.
The controversy centers on a settlement the Justice Department reached to end Trump's IRS lawsuit. The agreement included two major components that have drawn scrutiny: the creation of a nearly $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund and a broad immunity deal protecting Trump, his family, and his businesses from audits of past tax returns.
The proposed fund would compensate individuals who claimed they were unfairly targeted by government agencies. Critics have raised concerns that money from the fund could potentially go to defendants charged with crimes related to the January 6 riots. Cornyn and Tillis have opposed the fund for weeks.
While Blanche has stated the anti-weaponization fund will not move forward, the two senators sought written assurances from the Justice Department regarding the scope of the tax immunity agreement. According to the senators, the department has refused to provide those guarantees.
Blanche, who previously served as Trump's personal lawyer, has faced a contentious confirmation process. Questions have emerged about his handling of files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, allegations of targeting Trump's political opponents, and broader concerns about the politicization of the Justice Department under his leadership.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, announced late Wednesday that a planned vote on Blanche's nomination had been postponed as efforts continue to secure adequate support for the confirmation.
Democratic senators have uniformly opposed the nomination, while most Republicans have expressed support. The opposition from Cornyn and Tillis represents a significant break within Republican ranks on a key presidential appointment.
Trump's strategy to renominate Blanche after January could face substantial obstacles if Democrats capture control of the Senate in November's elections. Political analysts view Democratic gains as a realistic possibility given the electoral map and the president's current approval ratings.
Blanche appeared at his confirmation hearing on July 15, 2026, in Washington, D.C., where he faced questions about his qualifications and the various controversies surrounding his nomination. The hearing took place more than two weeks ago, but the nomination has remained stalled as Republican leadership works to address concerns within their caucus.
