President Trump signaled on Wednesday evening that he will nominate acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, his former personal lawyer, to serve as his next attorney general.
How that differs from his current role: Blanche would serve in the role on a more permanent basis. That means he would need to be confirmed by the Senate.
👂Listen closely and you can hear a collective grunt coming from Senate Republicans: Blanche would likely face a tough confirmation battle. He has been the face of several recent controversial moves within the Trump administration, including the creation of the $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” to pay MAGA allies. He fought with Republican senators over this fund in a private meeting last month. Oh, and Blanche oversaw the second indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, which has been perceived as politically motivated.
How his Senate confirmation would work: He would first need to be approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee, which Republicans control 12-10. Then, he would need full Senate approval during which he can only afford three GOP “no” votes, assuming all Democrats vote against him.
Two more Republicans that could cause headaches for passing Trump’s priorities: Sens. Bill Cassidy (La.) and John Cornyn (Texas), both who were snubbed by Trump and lost their primaries, may be more willing to buck him now. Read more
^ Cornyn told CNN’s Manu Raju this morning that he has not decided whether he backs Blanche for attorney general.
💡 Keep in mind — Trump is putting Republicans in a really tough spot: Republicans want to focus on the economy and affordability. They have a tough battle coming up to keep control of the House and the Senate. But Trump has given them a string of tough distractions. Think: Ballroom funding, the $1.8 billion fund to pay MAGA allies and nominating a controversial director of national intelligence with no high-profile intel experience days before the important spy powers deadline. Now, he’s lobbing another tough demand for them to confirm Blanche as attorney general.
The Trump administration has dropped the $1 billion ballroom funding request — and Blanche says the $1.8 billion fund is also dead — but the damage has been done.
Read more on how “Republicans have been thrown off-balance by President Trump’s focus on foreign policy, pet projects, and statements dismissing the importance of the midterms and cost-of-living issues.”
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