President Donald Trump defended his administration’s controversial “anti-weaponization fund” Friday and suggested he planned to push forward with trying to confirm Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, as the fund and Trump’s agreement with the IRS has threatened to scuttle Blanche’s confirmation and after the president had previously suggested he could temporarily pull Blanche’s name.
President Donald Trump speaks during an event at the White House on July 30.
Trump posted on Truth Social on Friday as Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, has said he’ll oppose Blanche’s nomination unless the Justice Department modifies its settlement with Trump, including withdrawing the $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund and narrowing the scope of an agreement giving the president and his affiliates broad legal immunity.
The Senate Judiciary Committee’s vote on moving Blanche’s nomination to the full Senate was postponed Thursday because of Cornyn and Sen. Thom Tillis’ opposition to the IRS settlement, as a vote against Blanche from even one Republican on the committee would block Blanche’s nomination from moving forward.
Trump claimed Cornyn “never had a problem with the so-called ‘Fund’” until after the president endorsed Cornyn’s primary opponent, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, over him.
