Trump Threatens to Pull Blanche as Attorney General
Trump threatened to temporarily pull Todd Blanche's nomination for Attorney General. Blanche now serves as acting attorney general.
The threat came after failed talks with Republican senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis. The Senate Judiciary Committee delayed a vote on Blanche's nomination amid the dispute.
Republican senators wanted written promises about a fund meant to limit misuse of power. The fund would come from an IRS deal giving Trump broad tax immunity.
Cornyn wants written confirmation the $1.8 billion fund will never be created. But Trump refused to officially end the deal.
This raised tensions over Blanche's confirmation. Reports say Trump plans to let Blanche stay as acting attorney general.
He would then resubmit the nomination after Cornyn and Tillis leave the Senate in January 2026. Both senators are leaving office.
Cornyn lost his primary election to Trump-backed candidate Ken Paxton. Tillis is retiring. Sources say Trump has claimed credit for both departures.
Key Terms 5
- Acting attorney general Someone temporarily doing the job before official Senate confirmation.
- IRS settlement A deal with US tax authorities affecting Trump's tax obligations.
- Tax immunity Protection from paying certain taxes or facing tax charges.
- Senate Judiciary Committee A US Senate group that reviews judicial and legal nominations.
- Primary election A vote where a political party picks its candidate.