President Donald Trump on Wednesday dismissed concerns that Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) could delay the confirmation of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, telling reporters he understood the nomination was advancing without significant trouble. “I don't know what it is, but I haven't heard that there's a problem. I've heard he's going through quite nicely,” Trump said in the Oval Office, according to pool reports.
Blanche, a former federal prosecutor and close Trump ally, has faced scrutiny from Cornyn, who canceled a scheduled meeting with the nominee earlier Wednesday. The Texas senator told reporters he was “not prepared to vote yes” on advancing Blanche's nomination, citing unresolved concerns about the Justice Department's handling of a controversial “anti-weaponization” fund. Cornyn has been pressing the DOJ for more information on the fund, which critics argue could politicize law enforcement.
Trump, however, framed the hold as a personal grievance rather than a policy dispute. “Maybe John Cornyn's upset with me because I didn't endorse him,” the president said, referencing his decision earlier this year to back Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over Cornyn in the state's Republican Senate primary. Trump added that Blanche is “outstanding” and “you just wouldn't find a better person,” suggesting the nomination should be routine.
The standoff has implications for the Senate Judiciary Committee, where a single Republican “no” vote could stall Blanche's nomination. Committee Chair Chuck Grassley (R-IA) has reportedly set a 4 p.m. deadline for Cornyn to signal whether Thursday morning's scheduled vote can proceed. “So we still got a little time, and hopefully they now recognize the seriousness of this, and will be responding,” Cornyn said, adding that he expects a response from the DOJ.
Trump also weighed in on broader legislative challenges, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune's (R-SD) admission that he lacks the 50 votes needed to advance a budget reconciliation bill. “Well, that's too bad for him. I mean, that's too bad for him and too bad for the Republican Party. He's got the votes. He should get it done,” Trump said, dismissing Thune's caution. The president has been pushing Thune to eliminate the filibuster to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act, which would impose new federal voter ID requirements. Thune has argued there isn't enough GOP support for such a move and suggested the White House help whip votes.
When asked whether Thune remains “the man for the job,” Trump replied, “Well, we're going to find out, and I'll let you know.” The comment underscores growing tensions between the White House and Senate leadership over both judicial nominations and legislative priorities. For more on the budget impasse, see Thune's struggle to unite GOP votes.
Cornyn's hold on Blanche also echoes earlier conflicts with the administration. The senator has been a key figure in negotiations over the DOJ's anti-weaponization fund, which some conservatives see as a check on federal overreach. Trump's dismissal of the hold suggests he expects the nomination to proceed, but the outcome remains uncertain as the Thursday deadline approaches. For context on Cornyn's broader stance, see Cornyn's withholding of support for Blanche.
The White House has not commented on whether it will intervene to secure Blanche's confirmation, but Trump's remarks signal confidence in the nominee's trajectory. Meanwhile, the president's critique of Thune's leadership highlights the ongoing friction between the executive branch and Senate Republicans on multiple fronts, from judicial picks to fiscal policy. For more on Trump's approach to internal GOP disputes, see Haberman's analysis of Trump's tactics.
