Trump threatens to withdraw attorney general nominee amid conflict with Republican senators
Kyiv • UNN
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to temporarily withdraw the nomination of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche due to a demand from Senators Cornyn and Tillis to provide guarantees regarding a $1.8 billion fund.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he may temporarily withdraw the nomination of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche due to opposition from some Republican senators to his appointment. Reuters reports, writes UNN.
Details
The dispute arose from a demand by Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis for written guarantees that the Department of Justice would not create a proposed $1.8 billion fund to combat so-called "politicization of justice." Trump's critics argue that this mechanism could be used to support his allies at the expense of budget funds.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump called Blanche a "star" and said he could become one of the best attorneys general in U.S. history.
I have no objection to temporarily withdrawing Todd's nomination if they don't do the right thing, and resubmitting it after Cornyn and Tillis leave their positions
Negotiations on the nomination continue
According to Reuters, on Thursday Blanche held a 45-minute meeting with Cornyn and Tillis, during which the sides tried to find a compromise. An agency source said the talks were constructive, and a final decision could be made as early as next week.
Reuters notes that Blanche, who previously served as Trump's personal attorney, has been acting attorney general since April after the dismissal of Pam Bondi. Even without Senate confirmation, he can remain in office as long as his nomination is officially pending and has not been withdrawn or rejected.
The agency also notes that the situation surrounding Blanche's appointment is further evidence of growing divisions between Trump and some Republicans in the Senate ahead of the midterm elections.