Two Republican U.S. senators have publicly stated that someone within the White House is preventing President Donald Trump's attorney general nominee, Todd Blanche, from agreeing to block the creation of a so-called "anti-weaponization fund" intended for MAGA-aligned individuals who claim they were unfairly targeted by the federal government. Blanche has been serving as acting attorney general while his confirmation remains stalled, a post he can continue to hold without Senate approval.

In an earlier interview, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said, "But, I don't know, somebody somewhere, I don't know whether it's the White House, or somebody works there or somebody works for the president, is basically telling them don't agree to those terms. And so we're kind of back to square one."

Cornyn is seeking a signed guarantee that the fund will not be established. A federal judge made the same request during court proceedings, and Blanche twice declined to provide such a written pledge. The standoff is notable because it pits a Republican president's nominee against members of his own party in the Senate, where GOP support is typically expected for a president's cabinet picks.

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) has joined the small group of outgoing senators who are unwilling to approve Blanche's nomination without that written assurance.

MSNBC's Ali Vitali spoke with Tillis on Thursday morning. The outgoing Republican senator indicated that Blanche has been engaging with lawmakers in good faith, but that the obstacle lies elsewhere in the White House.

"I think Blanche is trying to fulfill the commitment he made in the hearing. And so, we're continuing to talk, and we need to get to the person who's in the way. Todd Blanche is negotiating in good faith, but it's clear that the approval to get this done is above his pay grade, and we just need to get to that pay grade," Tillis said.

As he walked away, Tillis added over his shoulder, "I don't believe it's the president."

Within hours, Trump took to Truth Social, writing: "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 [attorney general]. 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." (Truth Social)

One factor that could prevent Trump from resubmitting the nomination later would be Democrats winning control of the Senate in the November midterm elections. NPR reported this week that such an outcome remains a long shot, requiring Democrats to flip four seats. (NPR)

Cornyn responded to Trump's post on X, writing: "POTUS is mistaken if he believes concerns about the provisions in his tax lawsuit settlement are limited to Senator Tillis and me." (X)