Topline
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.
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Key Facts
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.
The president defended the fund—which has been criticized for likely giving payouts to Jan. 6 rioters—arguing, “I will always feel that these victims of government abuse should be paid back for what they were forced to endure, their lives have been ruined!”
He added Blanche, “a good man, should be immediately approved as U.S. Attorney General,” seemingly backtracking after suggesting in a post Thursday that he could withdraw Blanche’s nomination until after Cornyn and Tillis leave the Senate at the end of the year.
Cornyn and Tillis have said they’re working with the DOJ to reach a deal to approve Blanche, but claimed Thursday the White House appears to be blocking the DOJ from making written assurances the $1.8 billion fund is dead, despite Blanche previously testifying that to Congress.
Crucial Quote
“Perhaps there has never been a group of people treated so badly in our Nation’s history,” Trump said about the Jan. 6 rioters and others who would benefit from the “anti-weaponization” fund. “They are suffering still, many ruined, and I felt that they should be given compensation for what has been done to them.”
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