President Donald Trump announced on Thursday he might withdraw acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination for a permanent role. The decision aims to resist pressure from Senate Republicans demanding changes to a controversial tax audit deal benefiting Trump and his family.
Negotiations stalled, delaying Blanche’s nomination advancement in the committee. Trump remained firm against the pressure from Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis. These senators expressed concerns about the settlement of a lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service, criticized by a judge as self-serving.
While the Justice Department appeared willing to negotiate with the senators, the White House hesitated to support Blanche’s confirmation. Trump suggested he might remove the nomination until Cornyn and Tillis leave office next year. Cornyn pointed out disagreement with Trump’s stance on social media, emphasizing broader concerns beyond just him and Tillis.
Cornyn remarked, “I think as far as Blanche and the Department of Justice, we were pretty much on the same page.” He added that Trump’s intervention changed the situation.
Despite Trump’s stance, Blanche held discussions with Cornyn and Tillis in efforts to progress. Both senators want additional assurances in writing about the settlement, especially regarding the dropped tax claims against Trump and the scrapped $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund.” Without assurances, Republican support in the Senate Judiciary Committee could falter, risking Blanche’s confirmation.
The controversy around the “Anti-Weaponization Fund” ended after bipartisan criticism. The settlement still includes audit immunity for Trump and his family. Cornyn and Tillis demand clarity that immunity covers only existing audits, not future filings. The settlement’s perceived leniency has drawn widespread Republican dissent, notably from Cornyn and Tillis, both targeting Trump’s actions in primaries and re-election contexts.
Blanche remains in charge of the Justice Department, leading as acting attorney general or deputy attorney general, despite potential nomination retraction. His roles ensure continuity in department management while the confirmation impasse persists.
This report includes contributions from Associated Press reporters Kevin Freking and Lisa Mascaro in Washington.
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