'What happens now?': Trump reportedly caught flat-footed by GOP revolt

President Donald Trump's thought Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche would face smooth sailing to replacing fired AG Pam Bondi — and he's been shaken by a rare GOP revolt, according to a new report.

The White House inner circle was not prepared for the pushback being led by Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) with more GOP lawmakers now raising questions about the president's former lawyer, MS NOW reported Thursday.

According to the report, Blanche may never be confirmed.

Trump seemed convinced Blanche's confirmation would be routine, telling reporters, "All I can say is Todd Blanche is outstanding, and I thought it was pretty routine because he's so good."

MS NOW reporting that White House insiders are also "surprised."

However, the Senate Judiciary Committee postponed Thursday's scheduled vote after Republicans made clear they lacked the votes to advance Blanche.

Cornyn and Tillis, both departing Congress at year's end, are wielding their lame-duck independence as a weapon against Trump's agenda.

Blanche's path beyond the committee is equally treacherous.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) is demanding answers about the anti-weaponization fund and IRS provisions. Sen. Lisa Murkowski. (R-AK) declined to comment on her position—a deafening silence that signals skepticism, MS NOW reported.

"If the committee votes to advance Blanche next Tuesday, the earliest Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., could move to the nomination on the floor is Wednesday," the report stated.

"Without time agreements, senators would be voting on cloture — a procedural motion to end debate — on Friday, which is the same day the Senate is scheduled to leave for its August recess," wrote MS NOW's Mychael Schnell. "But what happens now is anyone’s guess."