Trump Threatens to Pause Blanche’s AG Nomination Until GOP Holdouts Depart

President Trump warned he could temporarily withdraw Todd Blanche’s nomination to be attorney general and refile it after Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis—two Republicans who have raised concerns about the Justice Department settlement tied to Trump’s tax-return case—leave office in January. The Senate Judiciary Committee had postponed a vote on Blanche amid the holdouts' objections, while Cornyn and Tillis criticized the tactic as ill-advised and potentially delaying the confirmation process. Both lawmakers indicated the concerns should be addressed in the confirmation process, and the White House was noted as facing pushback. Cornyn and Tillis are exiting their current offices, adding timing uncertainty to Blanche’s prospects.