Friday, July 31, 2026

Trump bails on Blanche to save his own ass

Trump bails on Blanche to save his own ass

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2026/7/30/800077284/congress/trump-bails-on-blanche-to-save-his-own-ass/ 

Trump bails on Blanche to save his own ass

by Emily Singer
Staff
181
Share:




99 Comments
Add Daily Kos to Google
Donald Trump walks next to his attorney Todd Blanche, at Manhattan state court in New York, Monday, April 22, 2024.
Todd Blanche, who was President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer, is nominated for U.S. attorney general.AP

President Donald Trump is officially turning against his own party.

On Thursday, he went off on a pair of GOP senators, attacking them for refusing to confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general unless Trump gives up his corrupt “settlement” with the Internal Revenue Service that would shield him and his family from any audits or prosecutions.

“Todd Blanche is a STAR, and everyone knows it! He has the potential to go down as one of the Greatest Attorney Generals of All Time,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “However, John Cornyn, of Texas, and Thom Tillis, of North Carolina, both of whom I refused to Endorse, and whose political careers have been ended by my action, are refusing to vote for this Great Nominee, who will remain, in any event, as Acting.”

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, listens to State Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, during a campaign event in Lubbock, Texas, Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Annie Rice)
GOP Sen. John Cornyn of TexasAP

He then threatened to temporarily withdraw Blanche’s nomination until the end of their terms.

“Remember, both Cornyn and Tillis voted for Merrick Garland, and others, too numerous to mention. I have no objection to temporarily withdrawing Todd’s name, if they do not do the right thing, and putting him back after Cornyn and Tillis are out of office,” he added.

The fact that Trump is so willing to give up on Blanche’s confirmation rather than agree to drop his settlement with the IRS shows just how nervous he is of being prosecuted for his and his family’s corruption.

The settlement is, in essence, a preemptive pardon for himself and for “related or affiliated individuals (including, without limitation, family or others filing jointly), or parties including trusts, parent, sister, or related companies, affiliates, and subsidiaries.”

The utterly corrupt deal that Blanche helped Trump orchestrate with the IRS is so bad that even GOP senators are balking at it, with Cornyn and Tillis doubling down on denying Blanche’s nomination until the settlement is dropped.

Of course, Cornyn won’t admit that it’s Trump blocking the way, but come on—who else would it be? 

“If this were just between me and Todd Blanche, we would have worked this out, but, apparently, he’s getting some pushback from higher ups at the White House,” Cornyn told reporters Thursday. “I don’t know who, but it doesn’t need to be this hard.”

But Cornyn did fire back at Trump for suggesting that he and Tillis are the only senators who are uncomfortable with the corrupt IRS settlement.

“POTUS is mistaken if he believes concerns about the provisions in his tax lawsuit settlement are limited to me and Senator Tillis,” Cornyn responded to Trump’s Truth Social post.

Related | Trump’s Texas Senate endorsement is coming back to bite him

As for Trump’s plan to wait out Cornyn and Tillis’ terms to get Blanche confirmed, well, that’s a risky and stupid bet in itself.

Republicans could lose their House majority in the midterms amid growing backlash and frustration with Trump over his boondoggle of a war in Iran that’s spiking gas prices and threatening to take down the global economy. 

Senator Thom Tillis speaks during a panel session at the 56th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, WEF, in Davos, Switzerland, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (Gian Ehrenzeller/Keystone via AP)
GOP Sen. Thom Tillis of North CarolinaAP

Indeed, Tillis is likely to be replaced by Democratic candidate Roy Cooper, former governor of North Carolina. And Cornyn’s seat is also in danger, as the Trump-backed, scandal-plagued GOP nominee Ken Paxton is unpalatable to many Republican voters. 

“There’s a good chance at least one—if not both—will be replaced by a Democrat instead of a more amenable Republican,” Cook Political Report editor Jessica Taylor wrote on X.

If Democrats take control of the Senate, Blanche will have no chance in hell of being confirmed.

But, of course, Trump doesn’t care about anyone but himself. And a shady immunity deal is definitely more valuable to him than any attorney general.

We'll get straight to the point: The financial hardships that Daily Kos is facing this year are tough.

We continue to be paywall-free. We continue to be supported by our readers, not billionaires or corporations. But we need to bring in more revenue. We are leaning on our community more than ever to help make ends meet.

$
OR
Donate with

Was this story worth reading?

Recommending and sharing stories helps us decide which stories are most important to show our readers.

181
Share:




Conversation

|

All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. The views expressed in comments are those of the individual authors and don't necessarily reflect the views of Daily Kos.

All Comments

  1. Comment by ADReed.

    Ms. Singer, you meant that Republicans could lose their SENATE majority in the fall, not their House majority. Both are likely, of course, but the House has nothing to do with confirming presidential appointees. If Senators Tillis and Cornyn and are replaced by democrats, that will make a difference, but losing the House majority -- which is almost guaranteed -- won't make any difference at all. You really need to fact check and proofread your work!

  2. Comment by zootscoot.

    Trump sees that royals aren't taxed and in fact are given various allowances from taxpayers in perpetuity. Since he believes he is better than a King, by virtue of his cohort treating his as such, he should be given at least that much, The estimated $100 million dollars of taxes and penalties he owes are mere peanuts to pay for his presence. And the additional $500 million that could come from the others in the "settlement" should also be allowed since they are associated with his grandeur.

  3. Comment by JimB9999.

    Blanche is too stupid or too blind to realize that anyone who hitches his wagon to Don TOFU is doomed.

    • Reply by zootscoot.

      ETTD

  4. Comment by necturus.

    [how nervous he is of being prosecuted for his and his family’s corruption.]

    I doubt he's nervous at all. The Supreme Court will hold Trump himself immune for all official acts, and he can pardon his family members. That's assuming the next administration isn't effectively a continuation of the current one under a figurehead successor.

  5. Comment by suzeli.

    This is all for show. Blanche will remain as acting AG indefinitely. That in itself would be unconstitutional, if SCOTUS were "just calling balls and strikes".

  6. Comment by thanxamillion.

    Acting is the same as confirmed. He does all the same nefarious stuff Trump tells him to do.

    I bet he doesn’t get the same pay. Trump likes him some cheap imposters.

  7. Comment by BlueGirlinDixie.

    A convicted felon choosing the top law enforcement officer in the country.

  8. Comment by sgkos.

    Of course. His own ass always comes first.

  9. Comment by sgkos.

    It's always about the orange pediffile first. Not rocket science.

  10. Comment by voidstuff.

    I wouldn't go so far as to say that Trump has "bailed" on the nomination. He's hoping that Republicans can hold the Senate, so he can re-nominate Blanche.

    • Reply by cmon.

      He's planning on hijacking the election, IMHO. Unless the GOP holds on to their majorities, the election will be declared "rigged".

    • Reply by hissing kitty.

      Or he'll find a way to declare elections are in a state of suspension because the scotus hasn't ruled in his favor (and there will be an immediate appeal to further murky the waters).

  11. Comment by notrouble.

    How can that settlement be legal when there was no adverse party in the suit? There should be no case to settle.

  12. Comment by MindMatter.

    Blanche can only keep acting for 210 days, and he is more than halfway there. Except that there are loopholes. One loophole says that while he is in the nomination process, the clock stops. Another loophole says that if Trump withdraws the nomination, then the 210 day clock starts over, which is pretty insane. So he could keep acting until about the end of February.

    But of course, if we take the Senate in November, we don't have to confirm any of the unqualified people Trump names. Trump can just keep naming "acting" crooks. Nonetheless, if we take the Senate, we can make life very difficult for Trump and use the subpoena power to uncover many of these crimes, leaving them all exposed to prosecution in 2029.

    At this point, I don't think Trump really cares. He isn't going to live much longer, and he can keep things tied up in court until he dies. But we can make his life feel like prison.

  13. Comment by Jim McHenry.

    These pathetic suckers who work for and support Trump and remain loyal to a guy who never demonstrates any form of loyalty can't be shocked when he screws them over. So to give them any consideration of sympathy is a waste of time.

  14. Comment by roamer970.

    Trump did the crime (s) before he put in place the get out of jail card to protect himself and his criminal family - (Blanch) now it may be too late. He's not as smart as he thinks he is.

  15. Comment by Ammo Hauler.

    Let's see: Trump admits he destroyed Tillis' and Cornyn's Senate careers - and is so delusional he thinks they have an obligation to vote for his AG pick?

    Democrats must take control of both the Senate and House this fall. Then go on a revenge tour of their own - hearings, investigations and subpoenas til the cows come home. And they have the receipts. And make any Supreme Court changes a living hell for him and his nominees.

    • Reply by Judge Moonbox.

      North Carolina is pretty strong for the Democrats this year. Tillis might have been able to win reelection if Trump hadn't been so demanding, but he's out now. As for Texas, a Paxton win is less certain than Cornyn would have been. If Trump loses those two Senate seats, it will be on account of his arrogance. So what will be Blanche's chances then?

    • Reply by thanxamillion.

      Living hell? Just a simple Hell No!

  16. Comment by jds1978.

    Merrick Garland was the best thing to happen to Trump but he's too stupid to understand that.

  17. Comment by woodstocknative.

    There must be a whole lot of tax cheating going on in the Trump family!

    • Reply by roamer970.

      You're kidding right? It has been his (and his families) MO for years.

    • Reply by jadowney.

      Ya' think

    • Reply by mksaelens.

      Try decades, not just years.

  18. Comment by Mark Wegman.

    Trump has supplied a debate question for all Senatorial debates this season. "Will you vote to confirm any attorney general who would approve a deal so none of Trump's families taxes can be audited". I'm sure Susan Collins would be very concerned, Ken Paxton of course would be all in. But I don't think any of their answers will go over well.

  19. Comment by Therapy.

    Sorry, I'm at the point where I certainly hope the next Democratic potus just ignores any illegitimate rump pardons.

  20. Comment by Angela Marx.

    That closer, it was the entire piece, incapsulated in just a few impactful words...

    <quote>

    But, of course, Trump doesn’t care about anyone but himself. And a shady immunity deal is definitely more valuable to him than any attorney general.

    </quote>

    ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Add your comment

Active Conversations

The following is a list of the most commented articles in the last 7 days.

Trending Conversations

The following is a list of the most commented articles in the last 2 days.

 

Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Thursday, July 30, 2026

the 40 days of trumpmas - a surreal serial poem

the 40 days of trumpmas - a surreal serial poem


Remember, remember! The fifth of trumpvember

 the 40 days of trumpmas - a serial poem

 

for 40 days the trumpeter reigns,

his lies and hate on whom he disdains,

but election day will come so soon,

we'll no longer hear the orange baboon;

 

in 39 days full of world wide problems.

we could elect him to get rid of the muslims,

but as he'll rant on trivialities of his presidential life,

what could be worse? - you could be his wife;

 

in 38 days just what will you do?

the donald has said he likes lgbtq,

but as he bullies his women and all his men too,

if youre questioning, what stops him from bullying you?

 

in just 37 days, some people are saying,

(or pleading or hoping or some even praying)

the duke of prunes will dye his forelock purple my friend,

and thus make america grape again,

 

our days are down to just 36,

before our problems the don will fix,

he will on day one do what hes said - true,

he'll wall out our enemies - and fat women too!

 

on the 35th day of trumpmas

yes just seven weeks remain!

will the polls and tallies deliver us

donald with his golden mane?

 

34 days and the vice-pipers have piped,

though pence didnt say why donalds suit shouldnt be striped,

he wouldnt defend his master's string pulling,

to make america great? - who do they think they're fooling?

 

just 33 days till the macho tornado,

unless its blown away by hurricane machado,

with women and voters he has so much to loose.

keep your mouth shut donald (unless youre changing your shoes)

 

32 days and we’ve been hit by the big blowhard,

donald spoke here in fla (oh, we had a hurricane too)

this administration gives us playing the race card, a weak economy, and unemployment

but if you want a job you could be donald’s campaign manager (unless youre a jew)

 

31 days, just a month, remains;

will the donald say hes sorry, and his baser impulses restrain?

or keep blaming bill clinton for our moral demise;

when trump speaks to us, our NO votes must be our replies!

 

election comes this time (in 30 days) each 4 years,

time for praise and tears and fears;

as polls will open in many states,

vote early, please dont vote late!

 

down to 29, just a leap february,

and theres still the donald quite

contrary;

donald donald, how does your garden grow?

quoth the master debater, "with pretty maids groped in a row"

 

just 28 days - later or soon,

and the zombies will rise, led by the big goon;

unless everyone gets a reality inoculation,

i might have to move to canada for a well deserved vacation; 

 

now just 27, less than 4 weeks,

no time for you to say 'yikes!' or 'eeeks!'

obama wants to go to mars and colonize it for man,

lets send trump tomorrow! and colonize it for orangutan!

 

26 days are all that remain,

will our democracy and economy go down the drain?

if we all keep listening to the blustering oaf,

will he give jobs and prosperity? - or just half a loaf

 

25 days - will more women speak?,

of the antics of donald who the presidency seeks,

dating 14 year old girls or groping their mothers,

how did the gop pick him over the others?,

 

24 days - were down to two dozen,

the next woman who speaks just might be your cousin,

or mother or sister, aunt, niece, even daughter,

describing the circumstance in which donald caught her,

 

23 days left and trump doesnt yet have as many accusers,

as cosby, but he assures us that they are all really losers,

sent by bankers or hillary with secret agendas,

to disrupt our election of him - our defender!,

 

22 days and we know charity begins at home,

but donalds attention is so prone to roam,

his gift that disappeared to 911 survivors from his foundation?,

oops! maybe donald spent it on a vacation,

 

21 days and trump says the election may be rig-ly,

if hes not the winner and his total's not big-ly,

tremendously higher than hillary gets,

he warns his supporters may all lose their wits,

 

20 days left and while george zimmerman still walks free,

the man who shot at HIM got 20 years - while trayvon got eternity,

trump wants us to support our cops and maintain law and order,

he'll put all the inner city dwellers in jail, and send the immigrant criminals far across the border,

 

19 days left till we all go to pretend,

to elect someone to lead us, as if on it our lives depend,

but wise man, donald trump, already really knows,

who we really voted for - a wolf in president's clothes?,

 

18 days and we bad hombres demand a rebate,

on the ill feelings left since the comments of one candidate,

the debaters have met in their final grudge match,

but only donald can say from whose hands victory will be snatched,

 

17 days and our government is corrupt with quid pro quo,

did you take latin at wharton? is that how you know?,

donald wants us to fire at them all - the bureaucrats lined up in rows,

and believe me, corruption is a subject. that donald really knows,

 

16 days - lets set term limits on all our office holders,

and put all our women in binders - or maybe in folders,

donalds endless complaints are becoming a sour whine,

have a little cheese with that, from wisconsin, where 

hillary's doing fine,

 

15 days and on stocking covered thighs did linger,

two miniature hands with two thumbs and eight tiny fingers,

they belonged to the donald who believed that he owned,

any thing that he wanted - or anyone he got alone,

 

14 days yes only two weeks,

till the duke of orange assends to the throne he seeks?,

to rule all americans, the strong and the weak?,

and dominate the globe with power that's peak?,

 

the 13th day to go - does that seem unlucky?,

not for donald whos lately been appearing quite plucky,

claiming media, polls, and parties are against him,

and rallying his multitudes with wit waxing dim,

 

on the 12th day of trumpmas donald awoke with a jerk,

promptly fired his latest campaign manager (who considered that a perk),

if youre "AAAfroAAAmurikan" and unemployed i can put you to work,

barked donald the businessman from behind his sly smirk,

 

it's the 11th and engineer casey trump is in the caboose,

i hear some of you saying oh no! what's the use,

our campaign will probably just go off the tracks,

but donald says its ok - cause he's got "the blacks",

 

just ten days left yes only one-zero,

til donald is hoping that he'll be your hero,

as new hillary emails come under investigation,

donald hopes to rename camp david to camp donald for

his vacations,

 

like a cat has nine lives we're left with only 9 days,

till we're subject to donald? and his old wicked ways,

on foreign affairs he says he'll save us from isis,

but his domestic affairs are misogyny and crisis,

 

our days are numbered - yes only eight,

till once again we make america great,

by getting rid of candidates who have nothing to add,

goodbye donald you wont make america sad,

 

just one week to go - its day minus seven,

till america's lifted above - to trumpty dump heaven?,

where for rich folks like donald opportunity abounds,

and we keep the working poor with a wall that surrounds,

 

how the time it does fly its already day 6,

till americans problems the donald will fix,

his solutions begin on trumpday number one,

dont you like them? they'll come at the barrel of a gun,

 

Five days to go, baby, One in five,

No one here gets out alive, now,

david dukes not opposed to all jews,

he backs trump - who are you going to choose?,

 

only 4 days left till the armaged-don,

he'll seize power by the horns once he has won,

and donnie will be what he longs for - a winner,

using the FBI to wreak havoc on hillary the sinner,

 

only three left, just a triad of days,

and the donald his supporters continues to amaze,

with hoopla and folderoll made up in his head,

his winning temperament will leave us all dead,

 

just a pair of days - 2 - till trump paradise,

since these words you're reading please heed my advice,

the creatures that surround us are beginning to bite,

'blacks for trump' fear the Illuminati so lets turn out their light,

 

just a single day left till our thanksgiving,

deliver us from donald and preserve the living,

forget sanity and disgard your misgivings,

but pray hard to your gods that they'll be forgiving,

since we've got the nukes why can't we use'em?,

on the road to 2016 why couldn't we lose HIM?,

 

and trumpmas now has finally come,

the tallies will count up to a winning sum,

unless the earth is struck soon by a cataclysmic comet,

to elect a candidate who just makes you want to vomit?,

we wish you a merry trumpmas at this time each 4 years,

if you have'nt voted you've lost the chance to mitigate your fears,

cause donald duck is ready to lead, forget your crocodile tears,

so you'd better get the vaseline and lubricate your rears!

 

Posted by at No comments:
Labels:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)