Trump threatens to delay Todd Blanche nomination amid GOP holdouts

President Donald Trump's pick for attorney general remains in limbo as two Republican senators withhold their support and the president threatens to delay the nomination until next year.

(NBC)- President Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general remains in limbo as two Republican senators withhold their support and the president threatens to delay the nomination until next year.

Republicans say acting Attorney General Todd Blanche does not currently have enough votes to be confirmed.

Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina are demanding written guarantees from the Justice Department concerning a settlement agreement between Trump and the IRS.

The senators also want a written pledge that a proposed Justice Department “anti-weaponization fund” will not be established. Critics have raised concerns that the fund could use taxpayer money to compensate Trump allies who say they were unfairly prosecuted.

Trump suggested he could temporarily withdraw Blanche’s nomination and resubmit it after Cornyn and Tillis leave office when the new Congress convenes in January.

That strategy, however, would depend in part on Republicans retaining control of the Senate.

The political fight comes as authorities investigate a cyberattack affecting more than 30 municipal water systems across Minnesota.

A senior law enforcement official told NBC News that evidence points toward Iranian-backed hackers, though officials cautioned that the forensic investigation remains in its early stages.

The administration is advising water systems nationwide to take precautions against similar cyberattacks.

Meanwhile, Trump announced progress in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, saying an agreement has been reached for Hamas to disarm and for Israel to withdraw its forces from Gaza.

The announcement comes nine months after the two sides signed a ceasefire agreement. No timetable for implementing the latest deal has been announced.