Trump AG Nominee’s Confirmation In Limbo

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday postponed a vote to advance acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination to become the next attorney general.

Republican Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina demanded that the Department of Justice (DOJ) formally end a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund and rewrite language in a settlement that restricts Trump and his family from tax audits. Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Chuck Grassley postponed the scheduled vote for Thursday after Cornyn claimed the DOJ did not meet his demands.

“Chairman Grassley works to set President Trump’s nominees up for success in committee, not failure,” a spokesperson for Grassley said. “Senators Cornyn and Tillis want written assurances from the Department of Justice regarding the Trump-IRS settlement. Tomorrow’s markup is postponed as work continues to secure sufficient support in committee to favorably report Attorney General-nominee Todd Blanche, who is highly qualified for the job.”

Blanche would need Cornyn and Tillis’ vote to get across the finish line, especially since the late Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham’s passing. It is unlikely that any Democrat on the committee would vote in favor of Blanche’s nomination.

Blanche intended to meet with the Texas senator Wednesday, though the meeting was abruptly cancelled. Grassley gave Cornyn until 4 p.m. EDT Wednesday to decide on how he would vote.

Cornyn and Tillis wanted the DOJ to provide them written assurances they would meet their demands. The DOJ told the Daily Caller News Foundation Wednesday that they sent Cornyn a written proposal, though Cornyn said it did not meet his demands and sent it back with notes.

Cornyn reportedly sent