Trump threatens to pull attorney general nominee amid GOP revolt

Former President Donald Trump has indicated a willingness to temporarily withdraw his Attorney General nominee, Todd Blanche, amidst a significant Republican revolt in the Senate. The move comes as Blanche, currently serving as acting Attorney General since April 2026, faces staunch opposition from within his own party for the full-time role. Trump stated on Thursday that he has "no objection" to pulling Blanche's name, suggesting he could be renominated next year after Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina leave office.

The core of the Republican opposition from Senators Cornyn and Tillis centers on two key issues: a controversial $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund and a broad tax audit immunity deal benefiting Trump and his family. The senators are demanding written assurances that the fund, which critics have labeled a "slush fund," is permanently abandoned, and they seek to clarify and limit the scope of the tax immunity agreement to only existing audits. Despite Blanche publicly stating the fund is not moving forward, Cornyn and Tillis require written confirmation.

The standoff led to the Senate Judiciary Committee postponing a scheduled vote on Blanche's nomination, as he lacked sufficient support, with all Democratic senators already opposing his confirmation. While negotiations between Blanche and the dissenting senators continued, no resolution was reached on Thursday. Even if the nomination is withdrawn, Blanche would continue to serve as acting Attorney General, a position he has held since April 2026, after having been confirmed as Deputy Attorney General in March 2025.