WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans say they are seeking reassurances from acting Attorney General Todd Blanche about the future of a new $1.776 billion settlement fund before they will move forward with legislation funding President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement agencies. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., pointed to Blanche’s expected testimony in a House committee Tuesday afternoon. He told reporters that Blanche “previewed what he was going to say” about the settlement, which is designed to compensate Trump’s political allies and has met with strong pushback from Senate Republicans. “The conversation I had with him was very definitive,” Thune said. Asked if it was his understanding that the settlement fund was off the table, Thune said “that is correct.” Still, neither Blanche nor Trump have said anything publicly about the future of the fund.
GOP senators who revolted against the settlement before leaving for a Memorial Day recess two weeks ago have said they want more information from the administration about the future of the fund, which could potentially go to Trump supporters who beat police and attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The Justice Department said Monday it would comply with a court order pausing its implementation. Meanwhile, Trump has been reconsidering whether to move forward with it at all, according to a person familiar with his thinking.
