Key facts
- President Donald Trump stated his proposed $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund is dead but expressed a wish it were not.
- The fund was intended for individuals claiming to be victims of government weaponization, including Jan. 6 defendants.
- Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis are blocking the nomination of acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche.
- Cornyn and Tillis require written assurances that the fund will not be resurrected and specific commitments regarding tax investigations.
- Trump accused Senator Cornyn of obstructing Blanche's nomination due to a past primary endorsement.
- Tillis stated Trump's comments indicated the fund remains "alive," necessitating written assurances.
President Donald Trump has declared his administration's controversial $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund dead, though he expressed regret over its demise. The fund, intended to compensate individuals who claim to have been unfairly targeted by federal agencies, has become a major obstacle to the confirmation of acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche.
Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis are withholding their support for Blanche's nomination, demanding written guarantees that the fund will not be revived. They also seek clarity on tax immunity provisions related to a settlement agreement.
Trump publicly criticized Senator Cornyn, suggesting the senator's opposition stemmed from Trump's endorsement of Cornyn's primary challenger. Senator Tillis countered that Trump's statements confirmed the fund was still a concern, reinforcing the need for formal written assurances.
Blanche had previously testified that the fund was abandoned, but the administration has yet to provide a written commitment, leading to skepticism from senators like Cornyn. The ongoing standoff makes Blanche's confirmation unlikely before the Senate's summer recess.