President Donald Trump has threatened to temporarily withdraw the nomination of his former personal lawyer, Todd Blanche, for U.S. attorney general. Blanche, who is currently serving as acting attorney general, has struggled to persuade several Republican senators to back his permanent appointment.
The nomination has faced resistance within the Senate Judiciary Committee, as two Republican senators, including John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, have withheld their support. These lawmakers are demanding answers and written guarantees regarding a Justice Department settlement tied to President Trump's tax records and allies.
To avoid making concessions to the holdout Republicans, President Trump said he is open to shelving the bid and may renominate Blanche after the opposing senators leave office in January. The Senate has postponed the vote on advancing the nomination, and Blanche will remain acting attorney general while the holdup continues.