Trump Threatens to Undermine Senate Oversight by Withdrawing Todd Blanche's Attorney-General Nomination
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President Donald Trump is once again attempting to sidestep democratic checks by threatening to pull Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general, targeting Republican senators who dare to demand transparency over a tax-audit immunity deal that shields Trump and his family.
President Donald Trump on Thursday signaled his willingness to undermine Senate oversight by threatening to withdraw Todd Blanche’s nomination for the permanent attorney-general post, with plans to re-file it only after Republican Senators John Cornell and Thom Tillis leave office next year. This brazen move comes as the senators demand written guarantees about a settlement that would grant sweeping audit immunity to Trump and his family, and once included a staggering $1.776 billion fund designed to reward Trump loyalists.
Senator Cornell criticized Trump’s refusal to address legitimate concerns, while Senator Tillis pointed out that the administration is receiving 'bad advice' and must respect the Senate’s decision to kill the corrupt fund. Both senators have refused to support Blanche unless there are clear assurances that the audit-immunity provision only applies to current audits, not future ones—an essential safeguard against further abuse of power.
Blanche, who has been acting attorney general since April, met with the two senators after Trump’s latest threat. Sources indicate that negotiations have resumed, but with all Democratic senators rightly opposed and even a single Republican able to block the nomination in the Senate Judiciary Committee, Blanche’s confirmation is far from certain.
Should Trump follow through on his threat, Blanche could continue to serve as acting attorney general or as deputy attorney general—a position he was confirmed for last year, which conveniently allows him to perform the duties of the chief attorney when the post is left vacant. This maneuvering exposes Trump’s ongoing attempts to evade accountability and stack the Justice Department with loyalists.