Trump Threatens Fund to Support Allies Amid Senate Confirmation Uncertainty

President Donald Trump issued a warning on Saturday, suggesting he might establish a fund to compensate his allies if two Republican senators do not support his nominee for attorney general. This move adds new uncertainty to a Senate confirmation vote scheduled for next week highlighting Trump’s commitment to assist supporters who feel mistreated.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that he would retain Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche if Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina refuse to back the former federal prosecutor. Blanche played a significant role in Trump’s defense team during legal battles involving three indictments. Both lawmakers have expressed concerns over Blanche’s selection due to a lawsuit settlement that formed a $1.8 billion fund for those feeling wronged by the criminal justice system and provided Trump’s family with immunity from tax audits.

On Friday, Trump proclaimed the fund as defunct. Despite this, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Chuck Grassley, rescheduled a delayed committee vote for Blanche, aiming for confirmation before the August recess. The vote set for Tuesday allows more time to secure necessary support for the President’s nominee.

By Saturday morning, Trump’s new announcement reignited discussions on the fund and criticized the two senators who face term completion in January. Trump remarked, “If Senators Cornyn and Tillis, both upset due to lack of my endorsement, do not approve Todd Blanche for Attorney General, I will keep Todd as Acting AG” and will aggressively push to revive the fund.

Tillis responded on X, noting Trump’s intentions to reinstate the payout fund, either by establishing another fund or urging Congress to pass a bill opposed by many Senate Republicans. Tillis acknowledged Blanche’s qualifications but indicated the reversal might hinder his confirmation, expressing a hope for resolution by Tuesday.

Blanche had previously stated the anti-weaponization fund would not progress after Republican senators blocked an immigration funding bill. However, Tillis and Cornyn held concerns about any reversal by the White House, given Trump’s advocacy for the fund. The Department of Justice provided the senators with a document stating that Blanche’s order creating the “Anti-Weaponization Fund” is revoked and ineffective.

Cornyn and Tillis also seek clarity on a separate part of the settlement concerning Trump’s immunity from tax audits. Cornyn emphasized their request is simply to confirm Blanche’s previous statements that the audits were retrospective, applying only to the litigation parties.