President Trump has issued a decisive ultimatum to Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn. On Saturday, he demanded they cease delaying Todd Blanche’s confirmation as attorney general. If they fail to act, Trump threatened to aggressively pursue his ‘anti-weaponization fund’.
Sens. Tillis and Cornyn have withheld support for Blanche’s permanent position unless Trump formally agrees to abandon the $1.8 billion fund aimed at compensating those who allege political persecution. This fund was part of a May settlement to resolve Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS and Treasury Department.
On Saturday, Trump declared the fund ‘off the table’. However, he warned that if the opposing senators do not approve Blanche, he will retain him in the acting role and revive efforts to pass the fund.
“If Senators Cornyn and Tillis, both upset because I wouldn’t endorse them (they lost, and quit, respectively!), 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 announced on Truth Social.
He praised Blanche as a ‘voice of reason’ and emphasized the fund would return to the agenda if the senators continue their opposition.
During his confirmation hearing on July 15, Blanche stated unequivocally that the fund was ‘dead’. Cornyn referenced the settlement agreement, asking if a written agreement had been made to alter the fund. Blanche confirmed no such agreement existed, declaring, “No money went from the Treasury to any other account.”
The Senate Judiciary Committee, after a previous delay due to Cornyn and Tillis, has scheduled a vote this Tuesday at 9 a.m.
“Chairman Grassley wants Todd Blanche’s nomination to be successful,” the committee announced. The additional time aims to assist the White House in securing necessary votes for Blanche’s confirmation before the Senate’s summer recess, which begins at the end of next week and concludes mid-September.
Caitlin Yilek contributed to this report.
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