Trump backs $1.776 anti-weaponization fund, mocks angry Cornyn in push for AG Blanche confirmation
WASHINGTON — President Trump is standing by Todd Blanche as his pick for acting attorney general — and defending a controversial $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” created as a result of his lawsuit against the IRS — even as GOP senators could delay a confirmation vote for another month.Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at Camp David Friday that Blanche “should be approved forthwith,” while also doubling down in his defense of the fund — in another rebuke of Sens.John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Thom Tillis (R-NC), who have held up Blanche’s confirmation vote in the Judiciary Committee.The president mocked Cornyn for being an “angry person” after having lost a Texas Senate GOP primary race in May.
Trump had endorsed Cornyn’s opponent Ken Paxton, who serves as the state’s attorney general.And he expressed disappointment that the $1.776 billion fund meant to compensate victims of perceived political prosecutions in past administrations is apparently dead.“I think people were horribly treated, horribly abused.This has nothing to do with Todd; this was me,” Trump said of the fund.
“And I’d like to see them compensated for the pain.They lost their families.
They committed suicide.”In a Truth Social post Friday, he also said, “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!”On Thursday, he had signaled openness to pulling Blanche’s nomination until Cornyn and Tillis, who opted not to run for re-election in 2026, are out of office.Under federal law, the acting attorney general could serve another 210 days after the nomination is withdrawn, letting Blanche be re-nominated in February 2027.But some Cabinet secretaries think that confirmation should come sooner.“Todd Blanche has been an invaluable partner in advancing President Trump’s agenda and as a result of his leadership at the Department of Justice, Americans are safer today,�...