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Donald Trump would very much like the Senate to confirm acting Attorney General Todd Blanche as permanent Attorney General Todd Blanche. Today, though, the president said he might temporarily withdraw Blanche’s nomination. What’s the deal here? It’s unclear what Trump will do next, but even the possibility of the AG nominee stalling in the GOP-controlled Senate is an interesting window into the leverage that Trump—through messes of his own making—has lost over certain members of his party.

OK. Catch me up quickly on Blanche?After Trump fired former AG Pam Bondi, Blanche—who had already been confirmed as deputy attorney general after serving as Trump’s personal defense attorney—stepped into the role in an acting capacity. He proceeded to even further facilitate Trump’s use of the Justice Department as a branch of the White House dedicated to punishing the president’s political opponents. That fealty was enough for Trump to nominate Blanche to the position permanently. In days gone by, that would have been a done deal: Republicans control the upper chamber responsible for advice and consent on Trump’s nominees and are far from fond of saying no to the president.

What’s different this time?Two Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has to approve the nomination to get it to the Senate floor, are refusing to support Blanche. The committee’s Democrats are all hard no votes as well, so without the GOP votes, Blanche is stuck. Looking to avoid an embarrassing L, the committee postponed the Blanche vote, which had been scheduled for Thursday.

Who are these Republicans standing up to Trump? And what’s their problem with Blanche?Thom Tillis of North........

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