- U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Thursday to withdraw until next year his nomination of Todd Blanche to serve as U.S. Attorney-General, escalating a standoff with Senate Republicans over a proposed “anti-weaponization” fund.
- Trump stated he could withdraw Blanche’s nomination and then renominate him next year after Cornyn and Tillis have left office, claiming “Todd Blanche is a STAR”.
- Cornyn told reporters that he was still waiting for the Justice Department to formalize assurances that it would not implement the anti-weaponization fund.
- Cornyn told reporters Thursday, after a slated business meeting to advance Blanche’s nomination was postponed.
- Tillis sees the fund as a campaign liability for his colleagues, something Trump may fail to appreciate if he seeks to keep the fund alive.
- Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee who is also retiring this year, said Cornyn and Tillis have occupied a critical position in their conference because of their willingness to be out in front.
President Trump has escalated tensions with Senate Republicans by threatening to withdraw Todd Blanche's nomination for U.S. Attorney-General, a move that could delay the process until next year.16
Trump stated on social media that he might renominate Blanche after Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis leave office.23457
"Todd Blanche is a STAR, and everyone knows it!" Trump declared, emphasizing Blanche's potential as a top Attorney-General.
However, Cornyn and Tillis are holding up the nomination, demanding written assurances from the Justice Department that it will not implement the proposed $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund, which they view as a campaign liability.
Cornyn remarked, "POTUS is mistaken if he believes concerns about the provisions in his tax lawsuit settlement are limited to me and Senator Tillis." The standoff has left Blanche's confirmation in limbo, with Cornyn still awaiting formal assurances from the Justice Department.
As the Senate Judiciary Committee prepares for a critical vote, the outcome remains uncertain, with both parties weighing the implications of the anti-weaponization fund on their political futures.
“Sen. Cornyn is awaiting formal assurances from the Justice Department regarding the anti-weaponization fund, which he views as a campaign liability. Meanwhile, Sen. Dick Durbin noted that Cornyn and Tillis have played a critical role in the Republican conference due to their willingness to address these concerns.”
The Globe and Mail
