Chaos for Trump as vote to confirm his attorney general is DELAYED

The Senate Judiciary Committee has delayed its confirmation vote for Donald Trump’s attorney general nominee, Todd Blanche – in a significant blow to the President.

The delay comes amid ongoing opposition from at least two Republicans on the panel – Senator John Cornyn of Texas and Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina.

They continued to withhold their support for Blanche amid outstanding concerns about a sweeping tax immunity agreement for Trump and members of his family, as well as a $1.8 billion ‘anti-weaponization fund.’ The fund would pay out so-called victims of ‘lawfare.’

Blanche’s ᴀssurance that the IRS settlement and weaponization fund are ‘moot’ and effectively ‘ᴅᴇᴀᴅ’ did little to ᴀssuage Cornyn, who had told the acting attorney general he’d need something more concrete. The weeks of delay from DOJ suggests that the administration is not yet willing to provide that. 

Lack of consensus could snarl Blanche’s confirmation hopes in the final days before the Senate leaves town for weeks, leaving Trump without a Senate-confirmed attorney general. It also signals broader fissures between the Republican Party and the Trump administration. 

GOP leaders have shown more willingness to buck the President on his legislative priorities, which could complicate things for him in the final months before the midterm elections.

A Senate Judiciary Committee spokesperson conceded that Blanche’s nomination lacked votes to advance from committee, saying that the panel’s chairman, Senator Chuck Grᴀssley, works to ‘set President Trump’s nominees up for success in committee, not failure.’

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this month

Trump, then-Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Todd Blanche speak to reporters

Trump and his then-personal lawyer, Todd Blanche, speak to the press outside the Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City

Cornyn speaks to reporters after votes in the US Capitol 

‘Senators Cornyn and Tillis want written ᴀssurances from the Department of Justice regarding the Trump-IRS settlement. Tomorrow’s markup is postponed as work continues to secure sufficient support in committee to favorably report Attorney General-nominee Todd Blanche, who is highly qualified for the job,’ the spokesperson said.

It’s not the only issue that could be a thorn in Blanche’s side in the days or weeks ahead.

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Blanche spent his confirmation hearing earlier this month fielding tough questions from Democrats and Republicans alike, who pressed him repeatedly on controversial actions the Justice Department has taken during Trump’s second presidential term.

Lawmakers grilled Blanche about the Justice Department’s botched release of the Epstein files, his personal loyalty to Trump, and concerns about carrying out politically motivated investigations or penalizing career officials who refused to carry out these marching orders.

A spokesperson for the Justice Department said Tuesday that the two sides were in contact. 

DOJ ‘provided a written proposal to Senator Cornyn’s staff following ongoing discussion with both the Committee and the Senator’s office,’ adding that they ‘look forward to further discussion around any outstanding concerns.’