Trump Escalates Confrontation With Senate Over Todd Blanche Confirmation
President Trump on Friday escalated his confrontation with the Senate regarding Todd Blanche, his nominee for attorney general, urging the chamber to immediately confirm him while sharply criticizing a key Republican withholding a vote. The comments further questioned when and whether the Senate can confirm Mr. Blanche, as two Republican senators, John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, continue to demand written assurances that no federal payouts will occur from a contested government fund.
Debate Over the Federal Prosecution Fund and G.O.P. Resistance
Even as Mr. Trump vented his frustration, he appeared to validate the concerns fueling Republican opposition by defending the creation of a federal fund to compensate those who claim unfair government prosecution. The plan originally sparked a G.O.P. revolt in May, and Mr. Blanche had previously assured lawmakers that the initiative was dead. However, Mr. Trump hinted in a social media post and at a cabinet meeting that he wanted to revive the fund, with his lawyers noting in a subsequent court filing that they plan to appeal a recent order denouncing both the fund and the settlement that created it. At the presidential retreat at Camp David, Mr. Trump stated, “Well, it is dead. But, you know, I wish it weren’t, to be honest with you,” adding in a social media post that victims of government abuse should be compensated.
Leverage on the Judiciary Committee and Audit Protections
Senators Cornyn and Tillis have utilized their positions on the Judiciary Committee as leverage, vowing to block Mr. Blanche’s nomination unless the Justice Department formally commits in writing to terminating the fund and narrowing an I.R.S. settlement protecting Mr. Trump and his family. The lawmakers are also seeking clear guarantees that audit immunity will apply exclusively to Mr. Trump, two of his sons, and the Trump Organization, and that it will be restricted solely to past tax returns. Although both senators have engaged in negotiations with the Justice Department, lawmakers departed Washington without a clear plan to vote on the nomination.
Shifting Strategies and Acknowledging Obstacles
The legislative process has faced additional volatility following Thursday morning suggestions from Mr. Trump that he might temporarily withdraw Mr. Blanche’s name to install him as acting attorney general until next year, following the departures of Mr. Cornyn and Mr. Tillis, who opted against seeking re-election rather than face Trump-backed primary challengers. By Friday, Mr. Trump shifted course, taunting Mr. Cornyn over his lost seat in a morning diatribe and demanding immediate approval for Mr. Blanche. Hours later at Camp David, the president appeared to acknowledge his own role as the primary hurdle to confirmation, stating during a discussion of the proposed Justice Department fund, “This has nothing to do with Todd. This was me.”
