Republican holdouts meet with Blanche as his AG nomination remains in jeopardy
Blanche's AG Nomination Faces Uncertainty as Republican Senators Hold Firm
Tyunews.com – Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche engaged in discussions Thursday afternoon with two Republican senators—John Cornyn and Thom Tillis—after President Donald Trump signaled he might withdraw the nominee's appointment. According to sources briefed on the situation, this encounter represented the initial gathering of the three parties during the current week, coming after Cornyn had repeatedly canceled meetings with Blanche. The outcome of these talks remains uncertain.
Trump indicated he would consider temporarily removing Blanche from consideration for the permanent position heading the Department of Justice, citing pushback from the two departing Republican lawmakers. In a message posted on social media, the president expressed his confidence in Blanche while criticizing the senators' stance.
"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," Trump wrote.
"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 continued in the same post.
Senators' Upcoming Departures
Both Cornyn and Tillis will conclude their Senate service when their terms expire in January. Cornyn suffered a defeat in Texas's primary election earlier this year, having lost to Ken Paxton after Trump threw his support behind Paxton's candidacy. Tillis made his decision to step down last year, following Trump's warnings that he would introduce primary opponents against the North Carolina senator.
Responding to Trump's online comments, Cornyn indicated that additional legislators share similar reservations about Blanche beyond just himself and Tillis.
"POTUS is mistaken if he believes concerns about the provisions in his tax lawsuit settlement are limited to me and Senator Tillis," Cornyn stated on X.
Disputes Over Settlement Terms
Cornyn is pressing the Department of Justice to formally confirm that the approximately $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund has been eliminated. He also wants clarification that Trump's immunity arrangement with the Internal Revenue Service has been narrowed in scope.
The DOJ released an addendum as part of Trump's $10 billion legal action against the IRS. Blanche, serving in his capacity as acting attorney general, signed this document which prevents the government from pursuing ongoing audits of tax returns submitted by Trump, his relatives, and their business entities.
Cornyn clarified Thursday that he does not require changes to the settlement's wording. Instead, he seeks written confirmation that the agreement will not grant tax audit protection to organizations affiliated with Trump and his family that were not included in the original lawsuit.
"We actually asked for them to produce another piece of paper, basically reconfirming his sworn testimony, and that I think would satisfy me and Tillis, but they won't even do that. So I don't think they're serious about resolving," Cornyn explained.
"The fact that they're balking at putting that in writing tells me that they were hoping to get by with this settlement agreement and his testimony, and then revitalize those provisions at a later date," Cornyn added. "And that's -- I don't think good faith negotiations."
Options for Moving Forward
Tillis suggested the administration might choose to wait out the remaining time before both senators leave office. He noted that Trump could attempt the nomination process again once new senators take their seats.
"Hey, 158 days they can try it again, roll the dice on what the Senate confirmation process looks like next year. It's all on him. It's certainly within his authority to do that," Tillis remarked.
The Senate Judiciary Committee delayed its planned Thursday vote on Blanche's confirmation. Withdrawing the nomination would represent a significant decision for the president, though one he appears willing to consider given the current deadlock.