President Donald Trump said Thursday he is open to temporarily withdrawing Todd Blanche's nomination for Attorney General until Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis are out of office [1].
This move represents a strategic effort to bypass internal Republican opposition without conceding to specific demands from Senate leadership. By delaying the confirmation process, the administration seeks to maintain its preferred choice for the top legal post while avoiding a high-profile defeat or a forced compromise.
Trump posted the statement on Truth Social on July 30, 2026 [2]. The president said he would not object to pulling the nomination until the two senators leave their positions [3].
Reports indicate the GOP resistance is tied to a sweeping tax-audit immunity deal or an IRS settlement [4]. Trump said that waiting until the end of the current term for Cornyn and Tillis to leave the Senate would resolve the impasse [5].
"I have no objection to temporarily withdrawing Todd Blanche's nomination for Attorney General until Senators Cornyn and Tillis are out of office," Trump said [6].
Blanche's nomination has become a flashpoint for tensions between the White House and members of the Republican caucus. The current strategy avoids a direct confrontation over the tax-related demands, while ensuring the nomination remains viable for a future date [4].
"I wouldn't object to pulling the nomination until they leave the Senate," Trump said [7].
“I have no objection to temporarily withdrawing Todd Blanche's nomination”
This maneuver suggests a willingness by the administration to prioritize long-term personnel goals over immediate appointments. By linking the nomination to the departure of specific senators, Trump is effectively neutralizing a legislative blockade without granting the policy concessions—specifically regarding IRS settlements and tax immunity—that GOP holdouts are demanding.
