President Donald Trump said Saturday he will seek congressional approval for a controversial $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” if the Senate fails to confirm his attorney general nominee, Todd Blanche, escalating a standoff with two Republican senators that has stalled Blanche’s nomination.
In a social media post, Trump said he would keep Blanche in the role on an acting basis and press lawmakers to codify the fund into federal law if Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina continue withholding their support.
“If Senators Cornyn and Tillis … aren’t going to approve Todd Blanche … then I will keep Todd as Acting A.G., and push hard to get the Anti-Weaponization Bill … PASSED,” Trump wrote.
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The president praised Blanche as “one of the most respected professionals” in the country and said the proposal would “immediately be back on the table.”
Confirmation fight centers on compensation fund
Blanche’s nomination has been held up in the Senate Judiciary Committee, where Cornyn and Tillis have refused to support advancing his confirmation unless the White House formally abandons the proposed compensation fund.
The senators have requested written assurances that the administration will permanently shelve the plan.
The dispute centers on a Justice Department settlement negotiated earlier this year that envisioned approximately $1.8 billion in payments to individuals who claim they were unfairly targeted by the federal government during President Joe Biden’s administration.
Potential beneficiaries could include a broad range of individuals, from people prosecuted in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack to Hunter Biden, according to descriptions of the proposal.
The Justice Department has publicly stated it does not intend to distribute the payments.
During his confirmation hearing in June, Blanche told lawmakers, “We’re not moving forward with the fund, period.”
Trump reverses course
Trump’s latest comments represent a sharp shift from remarks he made Friday during a Cabinet meeting at Camp David, where he appeared to declare the proposal effectively dead.
Saturday’s post suggested the president is now prepared to revive the idea if Blanche’s nomination remains blocked.
Trump also renewed his criticism of Cornyn and Tillis, referencing his decision not to endorse either senator as they prepare to leave office following the midterm elections.
Cornyn is retiring after losing his Republican primary, while Tillis previously announced he would not seek another term.
Tillis says proposal remains obstacle
Tillis responded Saturday by arguing that Trump’s latest statement confirmed his concerns that the administration intends to resurrect the compensation program.
“The president clearly intends to resurrect the payout pot,” Tillis wrote on social media, adding that he believes Congress would reject such legislation.
The North Carolina Republican reiterated that he considers Blanche qualified to serve as attorney general but said the dispute over the proposed fund remains the primary obstacle to confirmation.
“It’s unfortunate that Todd Blanche … will not be confirmed because of this reversal,” Tillis wrote.
Despite the public disagreement, Tillis suggested negotiations could still produce an agreement before senators leave Washington.
“Hopefully, we can resolve this by Tuesday,” he wrote.
The Senate is expected to remain in session through next week before beginning its August recess, leaving a narrow window for Republican leaders and the White House to reach a compromise that would allow Blanche’s nomination to move forward.
