RismadarVoice Reporters
July 30, 2026
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to temporarily withdraw the nomination of Todd Blanche for Attorney General if two Republican senators continue to oppose his confirmation.
Trump remarked in a post on his Truth Social platform on Thursday, suggesting that Blanche’s nomination could be resubmitted after Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina leave office in January.
The development followed the Senate Judiciary Committee’s decision to postpone a vote on Blanche’s nomination after objections were raised by the two Republican lawmakers. Under committee rules, a single Republican vote against the nomination could prevent it from advancing.
Cornyn and Tillis have expressed concerns over the Justice Department’s settlement with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) relating to the disclosure of Trump’s tax returns.
Responding to the President’s comments, Cornyn said opposition to aspects of the settlement extended beyond himself and Tillis, insisting that the concerns were shared more broadly.
Tillis criticised Trump’s proposal, describing it as politically unwise. He warned that delaying the nomination could hand political opponents an issue to campaign on ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.
The North Carolina senator also noted that Republicans could face a more difficult confirmation process if they lose control of the Senate after the elections, potentially allowing Democrats to block Blanche’s nomination.
The dispute centres on provisions contained in the IRS settlement, including the creation of a $1.776 “anti-weaponisation” fund and clauses relating to audit protections for Trump, members of his family and affiliated companies.
Although the Justice Department has reportedly indicated that the fund would not proceed following bipartisan criticism, Cornyn and Tillis are seeking written assurances reflecting commitments made during Blanche’s confirmation hearing.
The senators also want the audit protection provisions in the settlement to be more narrowly defined.
Both lawmakers said they believed Blanche had negotiated in good faith but suggested that decisions on the outstanding issues rested with senior White House officials rather than the nominee himself.
Meanwhile, a senior administration official accused Cornyn of repeatedly changing his demands and delaying discussions with the Justice Department.
Cornyn, who lost his Republican primary to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Tillis, who is retiring at the end of his current term, are both expected to leave the Senate in January. Trump claimed their political careers had ended as a result of his influence within the Republican Party.
