Republican Senator Warns Trump Against Delaying AG Nomination Because GOP Could Lose the Senate: 'This Place Could Be Very Different'

Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) warned President Donald Trump on Thursday against delaying Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's nomination until after the midterm elections, cautioning, "This place could be very different."

While Blanche's original vote before the Senate Judiciary Committee was scheduled for Thursday, it was postponed on Wednesday night after Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) withheld their support, demanding written assurances from the Justice Department that a controversial Trump-IRS settlement would not create an "anti-weaponization fund" or shield the Trump family from future tax audits.

According to CNN, both senators met with Blanche on Thursday to discuss the issue.

Also on Thursday, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) chimed in, telling CNN that while his mind isn't made up on Blanche, he's "very concerned about the weaponization of the Justice Department."

As for Trump's thoughts on the matter, he posted on Truth Social:

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. 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. 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. President DONALD J. TRUMP

However, Kennedy expressed doubts, telling reporters who questioned whether the plan was "risky," "Well, duh. Yeah. Yeah. This place could be very different," referring to the chance that Democrats could take the Senate back in November. They'd need a gain of four seats to retake control.