Trump says he may pull Blanche's attorney general nomination until dissenting senators leave office
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he may withdraw and delay Todd Blanche’s nomination as attorney general until Republican senators who are seeking concessions from the top prosecutor leave office.
Trump doubled down Thursday on choosing his former personal lawyer as the nation’s top lawman, calling him “a STAR” and said he will keep in the role as acting attorney general until Republican Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina leave office.
“I have no objection to temporarily withdrawing Todd’s name,” Trump posted Thursday on his social media site. “If they do not do the right thing, and putting him back after Cornyn and Tillis are out of office.”
Cornyn and Tillis, who both leave office next year, have sought additional assurances in writing spelling a final end to that an “Anti-Weaponization Fund” as part of Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service.
Trump’s comments came after the Senate Judiciary Committee postponed a planned vote on Thursday to advance Blanche’s nomination. Two Republican senators on the committee, Tillis and Cornyn, have said they are withholding their support absent written assurances from the Blanche over the controversial settlement of Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS that afforded the president and members of his family protection from tax audits.